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6.11.2007 - 11:15am ET

CSR News from:	Dow Chemical Company
News Categories:	Environment
	Activism

2007 Blue Planet Run Kicks Off to Raise Awareness for Global Water Crisis

The Dow Chemical Company sponsors the first around-the-world relay to spread awareness, raise funds for safe drinking water projects worldwide

(CSRwire) NEW YORK- June 11, 2007 - A renowned jazz musician, a Scottish gardener and a champion marathoner are among the 20 athletes selected as official members of the international team that will run around the world in the inaugural 2007 Blue Planet Run, made possible by The Dow Chemical Company. The Run will raise funds and awareness about the lack of safe drinking water in impoverished communities around the globe.

Starting June 1, the Blue Planet Run athletes, representing 13 countries and ranging in age from 23 to 60, embarked on the journey of a lifetime, running 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, in an unprecedented around-the-world relay. For these ordinary athletes, this extraordinary undertaking is motivated by a mission surrounding something that more than one-fifth of the world’s population lacks: access to safe drinking water.

More than one billion people are without access to safe drinking water, according to the Water Supply and Sanitation Council. Nearly 2.2 million people, most of them children, die each year due to diseases related to unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. Water-related illnesses are the single greatest cause of human sickness and health-related death worldwide.

"The water crisis is a worldwide epidemic, and Dow is honored to be the presenting sponsor the 2007 Blue Planet Run to help in the fight against this global human issue." said Andrew Liveris, CEO and Chairman of the Dow Chemical Company. "As a world leader in chemistry, we are uniquely positioned to leverage science and "the human element" to solve some of today’s most pressing challenges. Through initiatives like the Blue Planet Run, we are working to achieve breakthrough solutions that ensure safe, affordable drinking water is available to all."

The 2007 Blue Planet Run will circumnavigate the earth's Northern Hemisphere in 95 days, passing through 16 countries including Ireland, England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Mongolia, China, Japan, Canada and the U.S. Events in cities and towns along the 15,200-mile route will mark the Run's arrival, educate local residents about the water crisis and inspire action.

"The global water crisis is one of massive proportions. But there is a solution - and that solution begins with a step," says Jin Zidell, founder and chairman of Blue Planet Run Foundation. "The 2007 Blue Planet Run team is literally delivering the message of safe drinking water around the globe, through some of the world’s most rugged landscape, to reach communities in need while educating people about how they can help make a difference."

There are many ways to participate in the global effort to bring safe drinking water to millions of people around the world. The following are ways to get involved and help those in need around the globe:

Spread the word: Encourage family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to learn more about water scarcity and how they can make a difference.

Donate to the cause: A donation as little as $30 can provide one person with a supply of safe drinking water for life. Visit www.blueplanetrun.org to donate. Because of Dow's generous support, 100 percent of all donations to the Blue Planet Run Foundation are distributed directly to water projects around the world.

Activate the Blue Planet Run in the community: While the Run is underway, communities around the world are supporting the cause with their own local initiatives. Log onto the Blue Planet Run Web site to learn how others are activating everything from fun runs to school fundraising competitions to awareness-building events.

To learn more about Blue Planet Run, visit: www.blueplanetrun.org. Visitors to the Web site can sign up to be official Messengers of the 2007 Run. Messengers can earn commemorative items, join the run, and even win a trip to the finish line celebrations.

About the Blue Planet Run Foundation

Blue Planet Run Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising global awareness about the need for safe drinking water and funding working solutions today for the billion people living without water.

The U.S.-based foundation funds nongovernmental organizations worldwide and promotes operational sustainability. The foundation's signature awareness and fundraising event is the Blue Planet Run, the first-ever around-the-world relay.

For more information about the Blue Planet Run Foundation, or to make a donation, please visit www.blueplanetrun.org. To donate $10 through PayPal using your mobile phone, text water to 63336.

Blue Planet Run is a registered trademark of the Blue Planet Run Foundation.

About Dow

Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of innovation, science and technology to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company offers a broad range of products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $49 billion and employs 43,000 people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

Dow's Sponsorship of the 2007 Blue Planet Run

As presenting sponsor of the 2007 Blue Planet Run, The Dow Chemical Company is committed to addressing global environmental sustainability issues. Dow's partnership with the 2007 Blue Planet Run aligns with the company’s 2015 Sustainability Goals and its commitment to helping solve some of the world's most pressing challenges. With science, R&D, new products and the "the human element," Dow pledges to contribute to solutions for some of the most serious problems faced by the most vulnerable members of the larger human family: affordable and adequate food supply; decent housing; improved personal health and safety; and sustainable water supplies.

For more information please contact:

Nancy Fullerton
989-636-8190

Carolyn Agnew
312 729 4119

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