Issue date: 17 Feb, 2009
The fight against climate change and the collaboration through the campaign Plant for the Planet, are two of the programmes launched by the United Nations to involve civil society and tackle the environmental challenges our Planet faces. Both issues together with the Reconciliation of work and family life are the themes chosen for this year’s civic values issue.
The idea for the Plant for the Planet was inspired by Professor Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate for 2004 and organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The objective is to plant at least one thousand million trees worldwide each year. In Spain, the campaign has had a very positive reception and 25 million trees have already been planted in one year and 100 million more are to be planted in the following years. Many big companies collaborate in this campaign amongst which is Correos, who gives part of the sales from the eco-friendly packing boxes to the foundation “Forests of the Earth”.
The fight against climate change is one of the challenges that faces mankind and the United Nations has made an appeal to us all to change our consumer habits and reduce the CO2 footprint. The European Union is one of the international organizations committed with the environment and has implemented obligations to the member states to control green house emissions and reach the following objectives: use less polluting energy sources, use alternative means of transport, make companies responsible for an efficient use of energy and their CO2 emission without jeopardizing their competitiveness, place town planning and agriculture at the service of the environment and create favourable conditions for research and innovation.
To make possible reconciliation of work and family life, fighting discrimination between working men and women and help both partners fulfil their household obligations is a main objective. The new legislation acknowledges a flexible working schedule as well as maternity, paternity leaves and time off to look after one’s family. Equal opportunities for parents and the co-participation in childcare from the moment of childbirth is now becoming a reality.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.