More Than 100 Heads of State Head for World Summit Without President Bush 8/13/2002
From: Charly Moore of Environmental Media Services, 202-463-6670, or Sabrina Williams of Fenton Communications, 202-822-5200 News Advisory: As more than 100 heads of state prepare to gather at the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) to assess global needs 10 years after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, President Bush -- who has drawn criticism from Republicans and Democrats for his rollbacks on environmental protection -- is notably absent. Despite lack of support from their own government, dozens of grassroots organizations from across the U.S. are traveling to Johannesburg in the hope of raising global awareness and support of their issues, from environmen tal racism to the need for greater local control. Environmental Media Services (EMS) will host a press teleconference on Thursday, August 15, at 11 a.m. EST to preview the Summit, which runs from August 26 to September 4 in Johannesburg, South Africa. NGO leaders will summarize the goals set 10 years ago at the Rio Earth Summit and describe the progress -- or lack of progress -- made to date. Grassroots groups attending the Summit will describe the importance of emerging global nongovernmental networks for such issues as community forestry, environmental justice, self determination and others. Background information and additional resources will be available at http://www.EMS.org. WHAT: EMS Press Teleconference to Preview the World Summit on Sustainable Development WHEN: Thursday, August 15, 11 a.m. EST WHERE: Journalists should call 800-547-8913. The conference ID number is F125. WHO: -- John Adams, president, Natural Resources Defense Council -- Colin Donohue, director of conservation-based development, Rural Action -- Azibuike Akaba, research associate, Communities for Better Environment -- Monique Harden, co-chair, Equal Protection Committee, National Black Environmental Justice Network -- Cecil Corbin-Mark, program director, West Harlem Environmental Action -- Leslie Fields, director of international programs, Friends of the Earth | |