Earth Day, which is being marked today, is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation of Earth’s environment.

Celebrate Earth Day by advocating the use of renewable sources, eco energy and sustainable power- Carmelina Grech

It was founded in 1970 as an Environmental Day, in spring in the Northern Hemisphere and in autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. The UN celebrated Earth Day the first time on the spring equinox in 1971.

An alternative green energy source is the focal theme for Earth Day 2012. The grim reality of radiation exposure urges us to seek better alternatives to nuclear energy, which is being questioned after the devastating nuclear disaster in Japan in March last year.

Earth Day is a fundamental opportunity for leading companies, corporations, governments and individuals to voice and endorse renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and geothermal power to source environment-friendly electricity, that sustain a global green economy. Sustainable clean energy will continue to be an important theme for Earth Day.

Climate change is our greatest challenge. Earth Day is a reminder to advance climate policy, energy efficiency and clean energy economy. As the challenges facing the planet continue to grow, it is increasingly apparent that the younger generation have got to live and thrive in a weakened environment.

Earth Day aims to combat behavioural change and channel action in favour of the environment.

A global energy petition is being organised and signed, demanding “the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency targets, universal renewable energy access and an end to all fossil fuel subsidies”. It is planned to deliver the petition to world leaders at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development [Rio + 20] in June.

Global biodiversity is under severe threat. Many still think the Earth is ours to use as we like. This shows ignorance of the importance of ecosystems to our well-being; climate regulation, water supplies, food security. Ecosystems services are our natural capital. One-third of species assessed are threatened with extinction.

Human activities are causing this loss, through land use, over-exploitation, pollution, destruction to habitat and species, which lead to fragmentation and degradation. Habitat destruction increases an area’s vulnerability to natural disasters like flood and drought, crop failure, spread of disease and water contamination.

We must protect the rainforests that provide us with cleaner air and are home to many different exotic animals and plants.

The Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation programme has the potential to be a big global solution to ecosystem losses and climate change.

The Green Economy Initiative is designed to improve human well-being and social equity, while signifi-cantly reducing environmental risks andecological scarcities.

It aims to help governments ‘green’ their economies by reshaping and refocusing policies, investments and spending towards a range of clean technologies, renewable energies and green jobs, water services, green transportation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, and sustainable agriculture and forests.

Water is the priceless resource on which all growing things depend. Nature exacts payment for abuse. And disaster follows when man breaks the divine law of the universe.

People should learn more about the essential tree cover and appreciate the alue of forests for watershed protection. The tree, with the help of all plant life, controls our food. Man’s interference with forest cover has greatly reduced the earth’sfertility. Trees are one of nature’s most efficient weapons of soil defence.

Beauty is not the only reason for planting trees. Some trees in the right place can lessen the risk of flooding and become an important buffer against the waters.

Farmers use trees to tie down steep hillsides, to stabilise unsteady stream banks and to screen off cultivated fields from harmful winds.

Of course, planting a tree is just a starting point to gaining an interest in Earth. It enhances our green environment culture. Go green and plant a tree today.

Earth Day 2012’s education mission is simple: to encourage young people to participate in global Earth Day activities that teach them environmental responsibility. Involve schoolchildren to explore a magical woodland walk, e.g. converging from Xemxija, covering a site of old carob trees, Roman tombs, old apiaries, cave dwellings and of course the Miżieb woodland. The success of the campaign will be gauged by the passionate enthusiasm of children, teachers, and planners.

The Arts for the Earth and Athletes are reaching out to artists worldwide to celebrate Earth Day. Campaigns aim to bridge the gap between the environmental movement and the arts and sports communities respectively.

Through partnerships with individual athletes and artists, stadiums, arts institutions, museums and schools, Earth Day co-ordinates participation in global events and programmes to raise environmental awareness on the importance of sustainability.

Celebrate Earth Day by advocating the use of renewable sources, eco energy and sustainable power. They are the way of the future.

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