The International Service Project of the Leo Club Program

Our Environment,Our Future

Caring for the air, water, and land on Earth is a seriousresponsibility. As the most

intelligent species on the planet, man isresponsible for protecting the Earth’s flora and fauna.

In 1972, The International Association ofLions Clubs adopted The Policy Statement onthe Human Environment. This defined Lions’commitment to preserving and improving theenvironment.

In 1999, the board of directors of Lions Clubs International approved TheEnvironment Program as the officialinternational service project of the LeoClub Program. Like Lions, Leos are nowdedicated to helping protect the environment.

As the new millennium begins,technological advances continue to alter theplanet. Meanwhile, inhabitants of the Earthneed to find ways to preserve nature. Thecoexistence of technology and nature is knownas sustainable development.

The purpose of this handbook is toencourage Leos to become stewards of theEarth. Since Leo clubs exist all over the world,Leos can truly make a difference in caring forthe planet. Leos can address the environmentalproblems that affect their communities. Everyeffort is needed.

This handbook begins with a briefexplanation of environmental issues.Leo clubs that have neverattempted an environmentproject may find thisinformation helpful.Examples of successfulLeo environment projectsare included in thesecond section of thishandbook.

Before planning an environment project,Leo clubs should consider asking their Lionsdistrict environment chairman for suggestions.On the last page of this handbook, there is alist of environment organizations that canprovide Leo clubs with additional information.

Environment projects should implement theprinciples of stewardship

B Reduce - the amount of waste produced.

B Reuse - materials instead of discarding them.

B Recycle - materials whenever possible.

Leos as stewards

of the Earth

Shovels in hand, the West Carrollton HighSchool Leos, Ohio, USA, plant trees to help the environment.

Environment issues

Air pollution

Both natural and manmadeelements pollute the air webreathe. In developed

countries, sulfur dioxide (from industry andpower stations); nitrogen oxides (from powerstations, industry, and cars); and carbonmonoxides (from cars) pollute the atmosphere.In developing countries, the burning of coal,wood, and charcoal pollute the air.

After rising into the air, these pollutantsreturn to Earth with the next rainfall orsnowfall. This “acid rain” damages forests,lakes, buildings, and monuments.

The Earth’s ozone layer protects us from theultraviolet rays of the sun. When chlorofluoro-carbons (found in aerosol propellants fromrefrigeration units, air conditioners, propellantgas in aerosol sprays, foam Styrofoam, halonsused in fire extinguishers, and solvents used inthe production of building and packaging foams)are released into the air, they break down the

ozone layer. Without this layer of protection,skin cancer, cataracts, and blindness can occur.

Pollution of the air can affect the Earth’sdelicate “greenhouse gases.” The interaction ofcarbon dioxide and water vapor in theatmosphere keeps the earth’s temperaturesuitable for life. Altering this balance can resultin a rise in atmospheric temperatures. Theadded heat could melt the polar ice capscausing the oceans to rise. Islands and low inlets could flood. Monsoon seasonscould shift. Natural habitats could change.

Industrial accidents are anothersource of air pollution. Whenaccidents occur at industrial sitesor nuclear reactors, chemicals andradioactive particles are releasedinto the air we breathe.

Indoor air pollution is also aconcern. In airtight buildings,secondhand cigarette smokeand toxic fumes accumulateand contribute to a healthcondition known asenvironmental illness.

Water pollution

Only three percent of the water onEarth is freshwater. Most of thissupply (99%) is found under the

polar ice caps. Freshwater is used primarily foragriculture, industry, and then, for people.

Forty percent of the world’s populationshares freshwater sources. One region maychoose to use its freshwater supply for humanor industrial wastes. Further downstream, thesame waterway may be used for drinking water.Chemical run off from agriculture may alsoseep into this waterway.

Chlorofluorocarbons from car air conditionerscontribute to the depletion of the ozone layer.

Of the 4.4 billion people who live indeveloping countries, 60% lack basic sanitationand one-third lack safe drinking water.

Clean oceans are also important. More than3.5 billion people depend on marine life astheir primary food source. Coastal cities arehome to more than half of humanity. By theyear 2020, coastal cities will contain three-quarters of the world’s population.

Pollution of the ocean from industry,fertilizers, pesticides, and tourism createsmarine blooms of algae known as red tides.These toxic tides deplete oxygen from thewater. Marine life needs oxygen to survive.

Oil spills are an accidental source of waterpollution. Spills from oil tankers releasemillions of tons of oil into the oceans. Thiskills plant and animal life.

Nuclear submarines also contribute towater pollution. Leakage from radioactiveisotopes on nuclear submarines (plutoniumtorpedoes have a half-life of 24,000 years)contaminate the water and marine life.

Land pollution

Man is among the 100 millionplants, animals, insects, andmicroorganisms that share

the planet Earth. Scientists estimate that 150to 200 species of life become extinct every 24hours. The destruction of natural habitats,hunting, and pollution are among the primarycauses of extinction.

To live on Earth, man needs food. Growingfood requires nutrient-rich topsoil. In developedcountries, farmers rotate their crops and applypesticides and chemical fertilizers to increasetheir crop yields. Over time, these poisons canseep into underground water tables.

In developing countries, mineral-richtopsoil is often lost to wind, rain, deforestation,overgrazing of animals, and the lack of croprotation. When topsoil is lost, crops cannotgrow. The 1984-85 drought in Africa forcedfarmers to abandon their topsoil-deficientfields. In Ethiopia alone, six million peoplefaced starvation.

Leos from Cuttack, India, cross polluted waters todeliver supplies to the needy.

The SM Ken Hwa Keningau Leos, Malaysia,inspect a field after a slash-and-burn incident.

Mismanagement of forests results indeforestation. Every year, 16.8 million hectares oftrees are cut. Often, new trees are not planted toreplace the felled trees. The absence of treesaffects the absorption of carbon dioxide in the air.

Wetland areas, e.g., swamps, mangroves,shallow water estuaries, and marine areas, arenatural water basins. These regions helpcontrol flooding. When this seemingly uselessland is sold to developers or farmers, theessential water basins are eliminated. Cropsplanted on former wetlands often fail.

Tourism also affects the environment. Asthe world’s second biggest business (after theoil business), the tourism industry uses landfor hotels, restaurants, and access roads. Inremote areas, ecosystems may suffer as a resultof the conveniences created for tourists.

Millions of acres of land are used todispose of household, industrial, chemical, andhigh-level radioactive waste. Unlined landfillshave been known to contaminate the land andthe groundwater used by plants and animals.

Human environment

In 1990, the human population of theEarth was five billion persons. Everyday, 250,000 more babies are born.

The United Nations (UN) predicts that thepopulation of the Earth will reach eight billionpersons by the year 2025.

Ninety-five percent of the Earth’s growthrate is occurring in the southern hemisphere,according to the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP). In the countries of India,China, and Nigeria, large birth rates areprojected to occur between the years 1990 and2030. In these countries, the fertility rate maysupersede the rate of food production.

In Japan, Italy, and Germany, low birthrates are expected to be reported from 1990 to2030. Developed countries (located mostly inthe northern hemisphere) continue to reportdecreasing fertility rates and increasing life

expectancies. Improvedsanitation, health care,medicine, shelter, andnutrition have contrib-uted to the increase inhuman longevity.

Humans, animals, andplants all rely on the earth’slimited resources for survival.Sustaining an ecosystem (a system ofplants, animals, and other organismstogether with the nonliving components of theenvironment) requires coexistence. The foodchain on Earth depends on the interrelatednessof all flora and fauna.

Balancing technological advancement withthe environment is an important 21st centurychallenge. As leaders in the new millennium,Leos can help protect today’s environment andpreserve the planet for generations to come.

Man is the source of many of theEarth’s environmental ills.

Man can also be a solution.

Leos can make

a difference

Zinzina Dikutala of the Bukavu-Kahuzi Leo Club, Democratic Republic of the Congo,planted small trees.

Before startingan environmentproject, Leosshould . . .

B Investigate the community’senvironmental needs. Decide thetype of environment project - air,water, land, or caring for the humancondition - that is most needed in thecommunity.

B For project suggestions, contact localenvironment leaders. This caninclude leaders in government,industry and civic groups.

B Contact the Lions districtenvironment chairman forsuggestions as well as possibleassistance.

B Select an environment project.

B Contact other local Leo clubs forpossible assistance.

B Develop an action plan.

B Include strategies for publicizing the project.

Consider implementing oneof these successfulLeo projects

Purify the air

B Use automobiles less. Bicycle, walk, orshare automobile rides more often.

B Maintain automobile engines. In the USA,leaky car air conditioners are the primarysource of dangerous chlorofluorocarbon(CFC) emissions into the atmosphere. CFCsdestroy the Earth’s protective ozone layer.

B Avoid polystyrene plastics. Whenpolystyrene breaks or melts, CFCs arereleased into the atmosphere.

B Be aware that smoke from cigarettes, cigars,the burning of leaves, and the burning ofgarbage pollute the air we breathe.

Clean the waterways

B Clean debris from waterways andshorelines. Restock fresh waterways with fish.

B Stencil “No dumping” on public sewergrids.

B Install fencing to discourage the throwing ofgarbage into waterways.

B Donate potable water tanks to provideremote villages with clean drinking water.

Protect the land for plants and animals

B Clubs, districts, and multiple districts canorganize clean-up projects on publichighways, railroad tracks, nature trails,parks, and bus stops.

B The planting of trees is an importantenvironment project. Leos can work aloneor with other groups to plant trees. Nationalarbor days provide groups with theopportunity to plant hundreds of seedlingsin a single day. Leo clubs can also planttrees as living memorials to loved ones.

B Organic substances should be returned tothe earth. Leos can create communitycompost heaps or teach homeowners how tocreate backyard compost heaps.

B Leos can help animals by volunteering atwildlife shelters. Clubs can also donate foodand towels for use at the shelters.

B Maintaining bird feeding stations is anotherway for Leos to help wildlife.

B To protect the nests of endangered sea turtles, Leo clubs can clear debris fromshorelines.

Members of this Leo club donated supplies to a local animal shelter.

Recycling projects

B Recycling paper, plastic, aluminum, andglass is one way of demonstratingstewardship for the planet. Leos canvolunteer at their local recycling center.

B If a recycling center does not exist, Leoscan join together with other Leo clubs,Lions clubs, or other service groups todevelop this long-term community project.

B Leos can implement special recyclingprograms for the proper disposal of itemssuch as used batteries, large telephonebooks, paint, and motor oil.

B Providing schools, parks, or beaches withrecycling bins is another Leo environmentservice project option.

B During Leo club meetings and service projects, Leo clubs should recycle allappropriate items.

B Leo clubs can sponsor an art sculpture contest using recyclable products.

Celebrate World Environment Day

B June 5 is UnitedNations WorldEnvironment Day. On this day, Leos can help educate thecommunity aboutenvironment issues.

B Leos can create exhibits ororganize public lectures about theimportance of protecting the rain forest.Leos can display examples of rain forestproducts such as teak, rosewood, mahogany,and ebony.

B Leos can also teach the public aboutprotecting endangered animals. Cockatoos,pythons, iguanas, red-footed tortoises, and macaws are all on the endangeredspecies list.

B From the sale of t-shirts and other productspromoting the environment, Leos can raisefunds for environment groups.

The Guatemala Quiche Leos collected newspapersfor recycling.

The Bermuda High School for Girls Leos participatedin a trash-a-thon along the shoreline.

Resources

Before implementing anenvironment project, Leosshould contact local

environment agencies. City, township, state,and national agencies may be able to provideLeos with suggestions for appropriate projects.In addition, these agencies may needassistance with ongoing environment projects.

Leos can purchase the Lions DistrictEnvironment Chairman’s Guide (IAD-70) fromthe Program Development Department atInternational Headquarters (US$5 each). Leoclubs should consider implementing jointenvironment projects with other Leo or Lionsclubs in the district. Together, Leos and Lionscan develop either larger or more permanentprojects.

The Internet is another environmentresource for Leos. Information about neworganizations and projects constantly appearson the pages of the World Wide Web.

The following list includes environmentresources which may be of assistance to Leos.

EarthWatch Institute680 Mount Auburn StreetWatertown, MA 02472-9104USAtelephone: 617-926-8200fax: 617-926-8532e-mail: info@earthwatch.orgweb site: www.earthwatch.org/

United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP)P.O. Box 30552Nairobi, Kenyatelephone: 254-2-623114 or 230084fax: 254-2-623692 or 623927e-mail: unepinfo@unep.orgweb site: www.unep.org/unep/per/ipa

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)401 M Street, S.W.Washington, D.C. 20460-0003 USAtelephone: 202-260-2090web site: www.epa.gov/

Worldwatch Institute 1776 Massachusetts Ave., NWWashington, D.C. 20036-1904USAtelephone: 202-452-1999fax: 202-296-7365e-mail: worldwatch@worldwatch.orgweb site: www.worldwatch.org/

World Health Organization (WHO) Avenue Appia 201211 Geneva 27Switzerlandtelephone 41-22-791-2111fax: 41-22-791-0746 e-mail: info@who.intweb site: www.int/home/hq.html

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)Avenue du Mont-BlancCH-1196 GlandSwitzerlandtelephone: 41-22-364-9111 fax: 41-22-364-5358web site: www.panda.org/home.htm

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