October 1, 1999
World Lake Charter approved at
3rd World Lakes Conference
Press Release Press Contact:
Frances Spivy-Weber, Executive Director
Mono Lake Committee
(760) 647-6595
For Immediate Release
Lee Vining, California--“The proclamation of the second World Lakes Day was the highlight of the first day of the Third World Lakes Conference (WLC). John Dennan President of the Council of Los Angeles and all Council members have signed it. The proclamation's key message reads: "Therefore be it resolved that the City Council of Los Angeles declares October 1st 1999 as second World Lake Day, and encourages people throughout the state to promote future water management programs that provide for today while protecting lakes, streams and wetlands for future generations and the public trust."
Living Lakes is a global partnership of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) engaged in the protection of lakes. The goal of the second World Lakes Day is to raise global awareness of the importance of lakes for people and nature. The first World Lakes Day was proclaimed one year ago by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Minister of Home Affairs in South Africa. At this first WLC in South
Africa, the Living Lakes partners decided to create a World Lake Charter. The Charter will be proclaimed at Mono Lake.
“The World Lakes Charter will be an important step for the protection of lakes,” said Prof. Gerhard Thielcke, president of the Global Nature Fund, during his opening remarks at the conference in Lee Vining. He spoke to more than 60 delegates, environmentalists, business leaders and journalists from a dozen countries who had come together at Mono Lake to discuss solutions and projects for a sustainable and environmentally friendly development in lake regions.
Frances Spivy-Weber, executive director of the Mono Lake Committee, the host NGO and Living Lakes Partner, said:” The World Lakes Charter will become an useful instrument for the members of Living Lakes strengthen our joint commitment to nature protection. The Charter contains seven principles for sustainable development in lake regions. Considering that there are 1.3 billion people worldwide without access to fresh water, the protection of lakes is vital. "
Dr. Martin Roth, Director of World Exposition EXPO 2000 Hanover, will present Living Lakes at the world exhibition as an example of concrete sustainable activities. The connection of water protection, conservation and new environment technologies makes the global lake network a unique example of the EXPO theme: humankind--nature--technology. "We hope the world will learn from California, where businesses like DaimlerChrysler collaborate with NGOs and government to establish future technologies like fuel cells for vehicles," said Dr. Roth.
Guido Nahmias, environmental expert at Unilever, stated that his business is searching for global sustainable water supply. Therefore, Unilever supports projects seeking solutions for water stewardship. Partnerships with NGOs and governments are an important part of this strategy, said Nahmias. He referred in particular to activities of his enterprise to reduce negative impacts of washing detergent ingredients to lakes and rivers.
Lutz Laemmerhold, from German Lufthansa, said that his airline, as a partner of the Global Nature Fund, will help the Living Lakes network to further tourism in lake regions, where public visibility can help to protect the lake. Andreas Schweikert, of DaimlerChrysler, stated that his business contributes to Living Lakes not only financially but also with transfer of technical information. In return, his enterprise learns from the knowledge of the NGOs and tries to integrate environmental ideas into product development.
During the 3rd World Lake Conference, the Living Lakes Network will grow. The Norfolk Broads, an important wetland of Great Britain, became a candidate since the last Conference and could become a member at the conference this October. In addition, three other lakes are seeking candidate status: Tengiz Lake (Kazachstan), Dead Sea (Israel) and Militscher Ponds (Poland). All of them are of outstanding importance for biodiversity in their countries.
The main topic of the conference is restoration of lakes. The Spanish partner, La Nava, is a successful example for the restoration of a completely destroyed lake. German conservationists will report on the restoration of rivers flowing into Lake Constance. EPO, a Greek NGO, is presenting initiatives to ban intensive agriculture from the banks of the Nestos Lakes.
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