GREE Expo 2002, organised by the Jamaica Conservation Development Trust, will be staged from June 7-9 at the Chinese Benevolent Centre, in Kingston under the theme “A Better Environment = A Better Life… do the right thing!”

Usually held during World Environment Week, the biennial exposition is designed to increase public awareness of and support for positive action to address environmental issues.

Said JCDT/Green Jamaica’s acting executive director, Robert Stephens: “Green Expo 2002 will be the most interesting, relevant and informative to date. In recognition of the United Nations year of eco-tourism and the mountains, the Blue and John Crow mountains will be the major feature of the nature trail which will be the centrepiece of the show this year.”

This year is being celebrated as the United Nations’ International Year of the Ocean’, hence the theme for the Nature Trail ‘The Mountains & Eco-tourism – Blue Mountain Nature Trail.

The Blue Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop for Kingston and a cool retreat for the weary business traveller or the adventurous hiker who wants to experience sunrise from the highest point in the island. The John Crow Mountains of Portland and St Thomas are home to the Maroons of Moore Town, spectacular waterfalls and the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly, second largest in the world. All these features and more will be captured in a grand display through which visitors to the exposition will be guided.

The second major display ‘Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation’, sponsored by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) and the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo), will vividly portray and explain the main types of renewable energy, with a focus on those being used and developed in Jamaica. The island’s heavy dependence on non-renewable energy sources such as oil and coal are expensive and, at the same time, polluting the atmosphere. Together, PCJ and JPSCo are expected to deliver a ‘high energy display’.

Recycling is one of the three “R’s” of solid waste management, and with limited space to dispose of bulky solid waste, a small island like Jamaica must begin to see recycling as compulsory. Chosen as the third major theme, ‘Recycling’ will be depicted, showing practical examples of how to turn ‘trash to cash’, by the Recycle for Life PET Bottle Campaign, Metropolitan Parks and Markets’ Riverton City Landfill Recycling centre among others.

As in previous years, the event will feature a large Children’s Corner, wildlife exhibits, environmental games, floral exhibits, a food court, quizzes, skits and other performances by school groups.

Since its inaugural staging in 1996, Green Expo has grown from 11,000 visitors and 73 exhibitors to over 17,000 visitors and 112 exhibitors at Green Expo 200. The event is an important source of fund for JCDT/Green Jamaica projects including the management of the Blue & John Crow Mountains National Park and the schools for the Environment Programme in over 270 schools islandwide.

The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, Canada/Jamaica Green Fund and the National Environment and Planning Agency are major partners with JCDT/Green Jamaica and other corporate sponsors, who are working to make the event a major success.