CEMEX and Conservation International present Oceans

CEMEX and Conservation International present Oceans; a unique book on marine ecosystems conservation

19 June 2012: Building materials company, CEMEX UK and Conservation International Europe have presented their book, Oceans: Heart of Our Blue Planet, at a Royal Society reception in London. The book, which has also been developed in association with the International League of Conservation Photographers and other conservation bodies, outlines life’s dependency on a healthy ocean.

Through analysis from renowned marine scientists and with over 150 images by leading photographers, the book aims to offer innovative and creative solutions to the many threats facing marine ecosystems.

Oceans was presented to more than 100 guests, including Members of Parliament, civil servants, community partners, environmentalists and commercial representatives at a reception, where The Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury also spoke about the importance of public and private partnership working to protect and enhance the environment.

Director of Conservation International, Jean-Philippe Palasi, who presented the book at the event, said: “By learning and understanding more about our oceans and their influence on climate, freshwater cycling, food security and human health, we will be in a stronger position to create policies that protect their landscapes and services, which are critical to our society.”

As one of the world’s largest producers of aggregates, cement, readymixed concrete and other building products, CEMEX is committed to sustainable development. From 1993, the company has, in partnership with not-for-profit organisations, published a new book every year to put the spotlight on different conservation issues. Oceans is the latest book, and the 19th in this series.

President of CEMEX UK, Jesus Gonzalez, said: “The conservation book initiative is integral to CEMEX’s sustainability strategy. In a world characterised by an expanding population, increasing urbanisation, growing demand for natural resources and a changing climate, the only future we can possibly aim for is a sustainable one.

“As one of the world’s largest producers of cement, aggregates and concrete, CEMEX aims to do this by becoming the best building solutions provider; helping to define and support a sustainable construction industry, and by working with all our stakeholders and committing to the long-term.

“On a more local scale, we want to help build a Greater Britain, which is prosperous, but promotes responsible growth.”

For the first time in the history of the series, this book is available as a download for Ipads.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For further information contact Elizabeth Young tel. 01932 583214. Pictures from the event and the book can be found on CEMEX’s Flickr page.

CEMEX is a global building solutions company and leading supplier of cement, ready-mixed concrete and aggregates. In the UK, CEMEX also produces asphalt, and has a significant share of the concrete-block paving, and concrete block sectors. Additionally, the company is the leading supplier of concrete sleepers to the rail industry and a supplier of PFA cement additives. CEMEX has a national supply network in the UK with over 360 locations, to ensure that quality building materials are available to customers locally. For more information, see www.CEMEX.co.uk and www.CEMEX.com

Conservation International is a not-for-profit environmental organisation which is headquartered in Virginia, USA. The organisation's mission is to protect nature and its biodiversity for the benefit of humanity. It has more than 900 employees in more than 30 offices across the world. Since its inception in 1987, Construction International has contributed to the protection of more than 260 million acres of land and sea, including places such as the Phoenix Island Protected Area; the largest UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world. For more information, see www.conservation.org

International League of Conservation Photographers is a not-for-profit organisation which seeks to further environmental and cultural conservation through communication initiatives aimed at creating vital content and disseminating conservation messages to a wide variety of audiences. For more information, see www.ilcp.com

Oceans: Heart of Our Blue Planet can be purchased from:

• Hard copy:

www.conservation.org/publications/Pages/oceans_book.aspx

• eBook from the Android Market:

play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.com.cemex.oceans.android

• eBook from the iTunes Store:

itunes.apple.com/us/app/oceans/id478004100?mt=8