Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC): Global Wind Day - parachuting and painting from Europe to the US, Australia to Uruguay

1 June 2011. On 15 June 2011, 'Global Wind Day', citizens from around the world can discover the benefits of wind energy while having fun. With Middle East instability affecting oil prices and debate over nuclear following Fukushima, the hundreds of events on offer on Global Wind Day will show people everywhere how wind can be part of a stable, clean energy future.

From Austria to Australia to Japan, Canada to Uruguay, Germany to the Ukraine, citizens will be able to parachute from wind turbines, watch open-air theatre, build kites for kite surfing, visit new wind farms, check out wind industry jobs fairs and play at wind energy parties. Highlights include the German Technology Museum in Berlin opening its doors for a wind energy exhibition and US launch of the WindMade initiative in New York City - an initiative to develop a consumer label for companies and products using wind power.

At Global Wind Day 2010, there were 220 events in 29 countries around the world. Global Wind Day is organised by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), who coordinate a worldwide network of partners.

"With wind, we can achieve a genuine energy revolution, and on 15 June, people on all continents celebrate the promises that wind power holds for our planet", stated GWEC's Chairman Klaus Rave.

"Fukushima, the Arab spring and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have created enormous public interest in the future of energy" said EWEA President Arthouros Zervos. "Global Wind Day encourages citizens to find out for themselves how wind can make our energy supply more secure and environmentally friendly".

For more information on Global Wind Day and a complete map of global activities, visit www.globalwindday.org.