美國在台協會很高興將12月訂為AIT@40的「環境生態月」，以作為慶祝美台40年友誼與合作全年度活動的一環。我們為2019年每個月份指定一個主題，以彰顯目前美台關係益發蓬勃且多元的交流。
為慶祝AIT@40的「環境生態月」，美國在台協會將舉辦一系列的活動，凸顯美台強健的合作關係。
美台當前的環境合作關係大約是在30年前，透過美台雙邊環保署的技術交流奠定了基礎。由於雙邊的合作以及台灣自身推動的倡議，台灣在應對環境挑戰上取得了亮眼的成就，並成為亞洲最宜居的地區之一。但這樣的成就並不限於台灣內部的環境，台灣不僅具備遠見卓識和領導力，也十分熱心慷慨，樂於與全球分享其最佳實務。
為傳承這項成就，美國在台協會、台灣環保署、美國環保署以及美國國家航空暨太空總署（NASA）將參與各項重要活動，以彰顯美台長久以來的環境合作。一起來看看這個月有哪些精采的活動吧！
✅12月2日，美國環保署主任Mark Kasman將與台灣、日本、韓國及東南亞的專家共同參加一場APEC會議，討論海洋環境和海洋廢棄物的問題。
✅12月3日，美國在台協會處長酈英傑、台灣環保署署長張子敬和台中市長盧秀燕，將為「全球環境教育合作夥伴關係」（GEEP）位於台中的亞太區域中心揭開序幕。「全球環境教育合作夥伴關係」是由美國和台灣於2014年發起的全球平台，旨為提升並促進全球的環境教育。
✅12月3日當天，美國在台協會環境科技衛生官王涵將與美國和台灣的環境執法專家，在台中參加廢棄物執法工作坊。美國及台灣的環保署向來有針對檢查技術、犯罪現場調查，以及創新技術使用，為區域環境執法機關提供訓練。
✅12月4日，美國環保署主任Mark Kasman將為37所學校頒發「美台生態學校聯盟」獎項。「美台生態學校聯盟」為美台雙邊環保署於2014年共同發起的計畫，目的為讓環境保護教育向下扎根，提升學校師生對於環境議題的認識，並推廣跨文化學習。在短短五年內，就已經有將近420所學校、192,844位學生和16,472位老師參加本計畫。
✅12月17日，美國國家航空暨太空總署（NASA）資深推廣專家Dorian Wood Janney女士及Peter C. Falcon先生將於國立中央大學為「全球學習與觀測裨益環境計畫」（GLOBE）教師舉辦一日環境教育工作坊。12月19日，兩位推廣專家將為GLOBE學生和一般大眾進行環境講座。「全球學習與觀測裨益環境計畫」（GLOBE）是由NASA所支持的國際科學教育計畫，旨在透過環境保護、數據收集和科學相關的活動讓學生、教師和科學家有更密切的交流。
✅最後美國在台協會將分別於12月13日及12月28日在高雄和台北舉辦兩場美國紀錄片「怒海控塑」放映會。「怒海控塑」講述了海洋廢棄物對地球生態造成的嚴重影響。「島人海洋文化工作室 / 海龜點點名」的台灣專家將於映後座談分享他們的觀察。
上述活動皆展現了美台關係的深度和廣度。歡迎與我們一起慶祝12月的AIT@40環境月吧！#AITat40 #AITat40Celebration #EnvironmentMonth
As part of our yearlong campaign celebrating forty years of U.S.-Taiwan friendship and cooperation, AIT is pleased to name December AIT@40 Environment Month. Each month of 2019 has featured a different theme, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the growing U.S.-Taiwan partnership.
In honor of AIT@40 Environment Month, AIT is happy to announce a series of events that underscore the strong ties that bind the United States and Taiwan in the area of environmental stewardship.
The foundation for the current U.S.-Taiwan cooperation on environmental stewardship was laid nearly three decades ago through technical exchanges between our two Environmental Protection Agencies.
Thanks to this partnership and to Taiwan's own initiative, Taiwan has had tremendous success addressing environmental challenges, making it one of the best places to live in Asia by environmental standards. Beyond its domestic work, Taiwan has also shown vision, leadership, and generosity as it shares its best practices with the world.
To commemorate this legacy of achievement, AIT, the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (Taiwan EPA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will participate in several events that celebrate our longstanding environmental cooperation.
✅On December 2, U.S. EPA Director Mark Kasman will join Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia experts at an APEC meeting on the marine environment and the problem of marine debris.
✅On December 3, AIT Director Brent Christensen will join Taiwan EPA Minister Chang Tzi-chin and Taichung Mayor Lu Shiou-yen in opening the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP) Asia-Pacific Regional Center in Taichung. The GEEP was launched by the United States and Taiwan in 2014 and is a global platform to improve and promote environmental education around the world.
✅On the same day in Taichung, AIT Environment, Science and Technology Officer Anna Wang will join U.S. and Taiwan environmental law enforcement experts at a workshop on waste enforcement. U.S. EPA and Taiwan EPA have jointly trained regional environmental law enforcement agencies in inspection techniques, crime scene investigation, and the use of innovative technologies.
✅On December 4, U.S. EPA Director Mark Kasman will award 37 schools under the U.S.-Taiwan Eco-Campus program. The Eco-Campus program, launched by our two EPAs in 2014, connects students and teachers on issues related to environmental protection, cultivates an increased understanding of environmental issues, and promotes cross-cultural learning. In just five years, the program has grown to nearly 420 schools and has involved more than 192,844 students and 16,472 teachers.
✅On December 17, NASA Senior Outreach Specialists Ms. Dorian Wood Janney and Mr. Peter C. Falcon will conduct a one-day environmental education workshop for GLOBE teachers at National Central University. On December 19, the two outreach specialists will deliver environmental lectures for GLOBE students and the general public. The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program, supported by NASA, is an international science and education program that connects students, teachers, and scientists through environmental protection, data collection, and science-related activities.
✅Finally, AIT will also host two public screenings of the U.S. documentary “A Plastic Ocean” on December 13 and 28 in Kaohsiung and Taipei, respectively. “A Plastic Ocean” tells the story of the shocking impact that marine debris is having on our planet. Taiwan experts from the Sea Turtle Citizen Scientists Project will share their observations during post-screening discussions. All these activities show the breadth and depth of the relationship between the United States and Taiwan on the environment.
