New York, New York USA - At an April 19th event co-hosted by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Earth Day Network (EDN), a number of small island states from the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Oceans presented their work on renewable energy and announced their countries'commitments to sustainable energy plans.

Government ministers and ambassadors from St. Lucia, Grenada, Maldives, Kiribati and Cook Islands spoke of their nations' commitments to renewable energy and their work with Global Sustainable Energy Islands Initiative ("GSEII") to execute their plan.

Denis Hayes, Chair of Earth Day Network addressed the seriousness of global warming and the need for a transition to clean, renewable energy. "The very existence of these countries is threatened by rising sea levels and the flooding of coastlines attributed to global warming," said Hayes. "Although they only produce a tiny fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions, they are the most at risk for the calamities triggered by such emissions. The clean energy commitments by these island nations are exemplary. We hope that, by using Earth Day to spread the word about what these countries are doing, we will prompt the larger nations into action."

Mr. Denis Hayes, Chair of Earth Day Network
Photo UNEP © Gabor Szilagyi

The GSEII program is part of a larger Earth Day 2001 project advocating "Government Commitments to a Clean Energy Future." The program is jointly coordinated by Climate Institute , Counterpart International, Winrock International, Organization of American States, and the Forum for Energy and Development. The groups will be working closely with the governments of island nations to help them identify opportunities in their countries for the adoption of renewable energy and assisting them in developing long-term, sustainable energy policies.

Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of UNEP, praised the countries for their leadership. "It is clear from the recent IPCC reports that the effects of global warming are likely to be felt more directly by these small islands. Their economies, their existence is at stake. Commitments by these countries provide an example to leaders everywhere that combating global warming is not only necessary, but also possible."

Mr. Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of UNEP
Photo UNEP © Gabor Szilagyi

According to the groups administering GSEII, a transition to renewable energy sources will help these small island states reduce imports of the costly fossil fuels on which they currently rely. In addition, the islands are well-suited for the transition to renewable energy because of the abundance of wind, sun and biomass they can harness.

Mr. Tom Roper, Climate Institute
Photo UNEP © Gabor Szilagyi

More island nations are expected to commit to renewable energy through the GSEII program, including Denmark and Jamaica.

Amb. Tuiloma Neroni Slade of Samoa, Chairman of AOSIS

The event was held during Earth Week, coinciding with the ministerial conference associated with the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.

Earth Day (April 22nd) marks the beginning of the six-week Earth Season, which culminates on World Environment Day (www.unep.org/wed) on June 5th.

The Government Commitments to a Clean Energy Future project is part of the Earth Day 2001 Clean Energy campaign. To learn more about the campaign, please visit www.earthday.net.