Cleaning up Australia and the World

Ian Kiernan is a respected environmentalist, known worldwide as founder and chairman of Clean Up Australia and Clean Up the World. Ian Kiernan became concerned by pollution while sailing solo around the world as a competitor in the international BOC Challenge. As a result, in 1989, he organised a cleanup of his local area – Sydney Harbour. Clean Up Sydney Harbour mobilised 40,000 volunteers and the following year Clean Up Australia Day was born with almost 300,000 volunteers Australia-wide. The day now attracts almost one million volunteers each year.

Following on from the success of Clean Up Australia Day, Ian signed an agreement with United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to manage and promote Clean Up the World based on the concept of 100 cities around the globe participating at the same time. The results were staggering. During three days (17-19 September 1993), more than 30 million people in 80 countries participated in the Australian initiative. Fifteen years later, more than 35 million volunteers in 102 countries annually participate in cleaning up, fixing up and conserving their environment. In 1995, Ian became the presenter of the Living Earth segments on Discovery Channel (broadcast in Australia , New Zealand) and was awarded the prestigious Banksia Foundation Fellowship.

In recognition of his leadership in the environment and the community both in Australia and internationally, Ian Kiernan was named 1994 Australian of the Year. He holds a Centenary Medal, Order of Australia Medal (OAM) and was made an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) on Australia Day 1995. Embodying the best aspects of leadership, teamwork and the environment, Ian Kiernan's commitment and convictions have taken him from a man with a modest mission to a global mover and shaker.

Ian has agreed to share some of his experiences in environmental stewardship with delegates to the APPEA Environment conference.