In June the Green 10 took part in the European Commission’s 2007 Green Week exhibition. The interactive Green 10 stand had an online quiz for people to test their knowledge of environmental issues, and an ideas tree on which conference attendees were encouraged to attach messages on how the EU can meet the environmental challenges of the next 50 years. All quiz participants received organic apples.

HEAL is an active member of the Green 10 and contributed a quiz question on how ill health and rising diseases are affected by polluted environments.

Nancy Kontou and Martijn Quinn from Commissioner Dimas’ Cabinet receive the "ideas tree" from Vessela Karloukovska, HEAL Programme Director

The focus of this year’s Green Week, entitled “Future Lessons Past Challenges” was a retrospective looking at 50 years of environmental policy in the EU, linking in with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. Reviewing past actions, Green Week was an opportunity to look at EU achievements and failures and identify lessons to be learned for the future.

The Green 10 presented its vision for the next 50 years of the EU in its Face the Future leaflet.

At the end of Green Week the Green 10 presented their “tree of ideas” to Environment Commissioner Dimas’ cabinet, with suggestions on how the EU might increase its resource and energy efficiency and protect biodiversity.

Matthias Duwe, Director of Climate Action Network said, on behalf of the Green 10:

"The EU needs a greener approach to its next 50 years. We need a vast improvement in resource and energy efficiency and investment in renewable energy systems. And we must protect and invest in ecosystems that support biodiversity. The contributions to our ideas tree this week show that citizens and policymakers are ready to engage with the European Commission and work together to take the EU into this greener future."