CRI听力：World Leaders Call for Action on Environment Day

Thursday marks the World Environment Day. Chosen by the UN to host this year's celebrations, New Zealand has called on countries to decarbonize their economies.

Prime Minister Helen Clark pledged a carbon-neutral future when addressing an International Children's Painting competition held to celebrate the event.

"Kick the carbon habit. Kick it out the window. Kick it from the tenth story. Kick it. And we are all encouraged to play our part in moving our countries towards a low carbon, lower greenhouse gas emissions, more sustainable way of life. Lots of small steps make a difference."

The Prime Minister said that a major new wind farm is developing on the outskirts of the capital, Wellington, which means the city will soon be 100 percent carbon neutral in its electricity supply. (Www.hxen.net)

Also marking , Philippines' Vice President Noli De Castro vowed to protect the country's capital's waterways.

De Castro marked a thumb print of his blood on a declaration calling for the protection of Manila's three main bodies of water.

He also addressed the public on the urgency of environmental protection.

"The entire world is talking about climate change and global warming. This is not a joke. This is what the world is now faced with - the frightening thought of what could happen if the already fragile environment is continuously threatened, abused and neglected."

The theme of this year's Environment Day is to "Kick the carbon dioxide Habit," which aims to inspire and encourage actions to eliminate the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.

Climate scientists have urged rich countries to reduce emissions by between 25 percent and 40 percent by 2020 to avoid the worst effects of warming.