Volunteering for Planet

1,558,427 volunteering hours registered...

Volunteering For Our Planet Thank you! Volunteers around the world registered more than 1.5 million hours of environmental activities during our campaign, covering the six months to International Volunteer Day, 5 December 2009. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme reported that number to the delegates of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP15, in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009. We also invited delegates to take photos as ‘volunteers for our planet’. A photo gallery is available here. During a press conference at the COP15 meeting, UNV Executive Coordinator Flavia Pansieri said, "Volunteers do. Volunteers act. They are doing something about climate change; making things happen and improving lives. Millions of people are taking action for the environment as volunteers. Their actions are more powerful than any statement about solving climate change and they deserve recognition and support. Governments need to take note and include volunteers in their solutions to climate change." Ms Pansieri told the press conference that the UNV campaign for International Volunteer Day, 'Volunteering for our Planet', had drawn a massive response from volunteers in developing countries. "Volunteers are a huge, under-used source of renewable energy. Their efforts are bringing benefits where they are needed the most; at the community level, in developing countries. 1.5 million hours is a large response but it is the tip of the iceberg: an iceberg that is growing. "Across the world, and especially in developing countries, volunteers continue to do wonderful work, conserving biodiversity, exploring alternatives to fossil fuels and biomass, educating others and developing clean water and sanitation. Every action is worth a thousand statements," she said. Fan us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Read about volunteers in action. View videos and photos.