Earth Day 2009 - A Huge Success

April 25, 2009

Earth Day 2009

Port Moresby – Earth Day 2009 was a huge success with more than 800 residents of Port Moresby attending the cleanup of Ela Beach on Saturday, April 24.  The event was co-organized by NCDC and the U.S. Embassy.  NCDC Governor Powes Parkop and Chargé d’Affaires Paul Berg spoke about the importance of keeping Port Moresby “Clean and Green” and presented certificates and prizes to the winners of the Earth Day art contest.  The theme of this year’s contest was “The Future of Port Moresby.” 

The art contest winners are Imelda Marie Takesi (0-4 years); Breah Robilliard, Oule Memehere, Oudin Lagaia (5-11 years); Jerry Tsinabi, Elisa Napu, Timothy Charles (12-17 years); Frank Aep (adult).  The honorable mentions are Vincent Maso and Yoni Donia.  The winners received certificates and prizes from Air Niugini, Trukai, City Pharmacy and Daltron.

The goal of the Earth Day event is to raise environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility and pride in the beautiful natural environment of Port Moresby.  This year’s event included the art contest and a trash cleanup of Ela Beach and the Sea Park.

This is the 3rd Earth Day celebration in Papua New Guinea and it is the 39th anniversary of Earth Day.  Earth Day is celebrated in 174 countries simultaneously by people of different ethnicities, religions and cultures.  Sponsors of this year’s event were:  Air Niugini, Trukai, City Pharmacy, NBC, Daltron, St John’s Ambulance, Coca-Cola, KK Kingston, Theodist, NCDC, the U.S. Embassy and PNG Gardener.  To learn more about Earth Day visit www.earthday.net.