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Earth Day Events: Celebrating with the World

The great thing about organizing or campaigning for the awareness of an event that is celebrated worldwide is that it’s a big draw for supporters, and that the impact is more meaningful.

This was evident last March 29, when the world’s supporters of the fight against global warming turned off their lights for an hour.

Luzon, through various efforts from individuals, businesses, groups and government offices, was even able to generate a savings equivalent to the shutdown of a coal-fired power plant for an hour.

For the Visayas and Mindanao, 40% of businesses in Bacolod shut off their lights; Cebu hotels and resorts did the same for an hour; and even the Zamboange City Electric Cooperative shut down for 15 minutes.

Earth Hour, a brainchild of the World Wildlife Fund, started in Sydney in 2007. This year, it was joined in by 24 global cities from Asia, Europe and America.

After the Earth Hour, during which the world came together to raise awareness about environmental issues, let’s now set our eyes on the “Big Thing”. Because after all, Earth Hour was just an appetizer. EARTH DAY is on its 38th year, and continues its fight against global warming and climate change, a specific environmental campaign it started in 2000.

In the Philippines, Earth Day celebration started in 1990 when then president Corazon Aquino issued the Proclamation No.553, naming April 22 Earth Day.

Given its magnitude, just look at the Earth Day activities already being organized:

Local:

  1. DENR Secretary Lito Atienza celebrates Earth Day with the theme “Tubig ay Buhay Ating Pagyamanin at Linisin.”
  2. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 6 will hold an exhibit caravan from San Carlos City to Aklan.
  3. 2nd Annual Earth Day Dumaguete City - Philippines
  4. Earth Day:10K Banica River Finishers Run (Dumaguete City, Philippines)

International:

  1. Earth Day Events in Hampton N.H.
  2. Pacific Palisades Eco Evening (Pacific Palisades, CA, USA)
  3. City of Durham Earth Day Festival (Durham, North Carolina, USA)
  4. The Peace of Wild Things - Wendell Berry in Song (An Earth Day Event) (New York)
  5. The Green Living Expo (Malibu, Hawaii)
  6. The Earth Day Celebration: The Assembly of 100,000 Monks (Thailand)

In fact, a campaign called The Earth Day Network Climate Change Solutions Campaign has been going on for three years to educate and motivate all levels of the global community.

What you can do for Earth Day is to speak up, be a Member of the Earth Day Network, measure your Ecological Footprint, and simply act on the advocacy at your home, office and school.

If you want to do something to add to these growing list of events, just check out the following links:

  1. Earth Day in a Box
  2. Climate Change and Communities of Faith
  3. Environmental Tips Video Series
  4. Global Climate Change and Population Growth
  5. EDN Teacher's Network

Remember, it pays to act now, and join the rest of the world while doing so.

Sources:

Austria, Ava Kashima, et.al. “'Earth Hour' impact in Luzon equivalent to shutdown of coal-fired power plant.” Retrieved April 14, 2008 from
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/87057/Earth-Hour-impact-in-Luzon-equivalent-to-shutdown-of-coal-fired-power-plant
“Hands on Earth Day 2007.” Retrieved April 14, 2008 from
www.earthday.net/programs/Handson2007.aspx
“International Programs & Events.” Retrieved April 14, 2008 from
http://ww2.earthday.net/~earthday/node/138
Subong, Es. “DENR 6 to kick off Earth Day celebration with caravan, exhibits.” Retrieved April 14, 2008 from http://pia.gov.ph/?m=11&sec=archive&r=ALL&sp=47&fi=p080313.htm&no=70
“The National Civic Education Project.” Retrieved April 14, 2008 from
http://ww2.earthday.net/~earthday/ncep

(Published 21 April 2008, Smart Schools Program)