Today, April 22, we celebrate the day of our beloved Mother Earth with the theme of Restore Our Earth™ wherein, it urges us to restore our ecosystem by utilizing green technologies and innovative thinking to prevent further environmental disasters from occurring. In the Philippines, this day is known as the Philippines’ Earth Day as declared by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo under Proclamation No. 1481 signed in 2008.
Back in the 1960s, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson was motivated by ongoing protests to create an environmental movement that aims to raise awareness and bring attention to the national level, the environmental issues affecting the planet. Together with Harvard University graduate student Denis Hayes, they initiated the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, to educate people on environmental conservation. These went on for years until it became an annual celebration. Today, earth day is celebrated by millions of people all around the world to promote sustainable practices and bring light to the issues surrounding our environment.
By quickly scrolling through our newsfeed, we can easily find loads of environmental issues directly affecting Mother Earth. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (2019), if global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise each year between 2020-2030, temperatures are predicted to escalate by 3.2°C, further progressing the development of more destructive climate impacts that can significantly affect the livelihood and wellbeing of the earth’s inhabitants. Developed countries like Europe, North America, Japan, and China must become more active in initiating and contributing efforts to decrease the earth’s deterioration, considering that they are some of the highest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, the Philippines is one of the lowest contributors to GHG but one of the most vulnerable to climate change impacts (Ofreneo, 2020). You can see how unfair it is for the developing countries to become on the losing end of the battle and face the consequences of climate change.
Horrible is an understatement to describe the environmental situation in the Philippines. Oceans and rivers are continuously filled with plastics. Based on a study conducted by Jambeck, et al. (2015), the Philippines is the third worst plastic offender in the world, with Indonesia and China coming in the second and first place, respectively. Imagine all the used plastic containers, straws, sachet-packs, etc., piling up in the bodies of water, killing marine life biodiversity and inducing health risk to the communities. Our rainforests and mountains are also wearing down due to illegal logging and mining. Last November 2020, DILG ordered a crackdown on illegal logging operations in Cagayan, Isabela, and Bicol region in which some locally-elected officials were allegedly involved. Furthermore, with the recent news of the almost 9-years mining moratorium lifted by the president, we can expect another wave of corporations and/or politicians taking advantage of exploiting the environment to cater to their selfish interests.
These actions have greatly affected the Filipinos most especially, those who live in poverty residing in high-risk areas. Plastic pollution, illegal logging, and mining are only some factors that have caused flash floods in our communities which forcefully displaced our fellow Filipinos. One of the most prominent examples was the recent typhoon Ulysses that hit the Philippines last December 2020. Several provinces in Luzon were submerged in water resulting in individuals and families being stranded in their homes, screaming for help while chilling to death. Unfortunately, this has been the norm in the Filipino community. The neglect towards our environment is further strengthened, with the addition of new infrastructures brought upon by the ‘Build, Build, Build’ Program of the government that compromises the country’s green spaces and displaces most of our indigenous groups to pave the way for such constructions to occur.
Based on the United Nations (n.d.), ecosystems support all life on Earth. A healthy ecosystem constitutes healthy interactions with the planet. It is vital to have a harmonious relationship with nature and Earth as it can discernibly benefit the subsistence of humankind. However, constant exploitation of the populace to the natural world will cause a dangerous outrage that can completely eradicate the human race.
As a student stuck in a pandemic, what can you do on Earth Day? Surprisingly, a lot. You can attend virtual rallies, watch performances, and listen to educational discussions organized by environmental activists. You can also try to write a letter to your local officials discussing the environmental concerns and issues faced by humankind and how implementing policies can somehow lessen the problem. Or you can simply reduce your electricity consumption by unplugging appliances when not in use as it is one of the sources of global emissions. Reduce your food waste and plastic usage. You can also become a plant-tita or tito and make a garden in your front yard or backyard.
We have to remember that for us to Restore Our Earth™, all individuals must become aware of the calls regarding the conservation of Mother Earth and participate in activities and campaigns promoting its welfare. We also urge the government to immediately act on these issues and impose the appropriate measures and actions to prevent further deterioration and preserve the resources for the next generation to utilize.
“Let’s remind more than ever in this International Mother Earth Day that we need a shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet.” (United Nations, n.d.).
22 April 2021
References:
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Presidential Management Staff Proclamation No. 1481, April 10, 2008
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