Worldly youths create
By Treena Shapiro
book on environment
Star-BulletinTeen-agers around the world can now read a United Nations environmental report in language they can understand.
A group undertook the project of interpreting the United Nations Environment Programme's Global Environmental Outlook-2000 to tell young people how to avoid some of the mistakes their parents' generation made.
The result is "Pachamama: Our Earth -- Our Future" a colorful 96-page "global environmental primer" aimed at 11- to 14-year-olds. Youth editors, designers, writers and artists produced the book, with the support of the environmental program and Peace Child International.
In the Incan language, "Pachamama" means "Mother Earth." Marina Mansilla Hermann, 16, an editor from Argentina, added, "It's a whole way of being in harmony with the Earth.
"We have to get back to our ancients' knowledge," she said. "It's the only solution to stop this."
The book uses prose, poetry and artwork to address areas of concern, present scientific information and propose solutions.
In their efforts to restore and preserve the Earth, the book's editors have committed themselves to natural resource utilization, biodiversity, atmosphere and water protection, energy conservation, waste management, sustainable living, cooperation and education, human rights and action.
The book was launched yesterday, the second day of the Millennium Young People's Congress.
This week, 1,000 young people representing 103 countries have gathered in Hawaii to discuss their global priorities for the new millennium.
Delegates from each country compiled a list of local priorities, and environmental concerns ranked among the top four for 44 countries.
Tore Brevik, director of information and public affairs for United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, Kenya, challenged the delegates to get the book to their countries' governments and schools.
"We can still save the Earth, get a sustainable development on this planet," he told the congress.
Pachamama is available at Borders Books and Music and the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
