Earthsaver’s Movement calls for conservation

Today, April 22nd, is "Earth Day." Any commemoration is only as good as the way the occasion is celebrated. There must be an interesting program that projects the relevance of the occasion. One of the greatest historical happenings in our times was the People’s Power Revolution. It has no precedent in world history. Sad to say less and less people have been attending its annual inauguration. This is because the programs are totally irrelevant to the occasion. Instead of projecting people’s power, the programs merely consist of speeches by politicians in power. The people play no part in the celebration. So it is political – not people’s – power that is projected. And we have seen that without the people, the celebration itself is now an annual non-event.

In this year’s "Earth Day" celebrations, its organizers were even conscious that it coincided with the end of Easter and so the theme of this year’s observance is "Fast to Save Mother Earth." Former Senator Heherson T. Alvarez is asking each and every citizen to "fast", meaning to cut down on their use of water, energy and gas and at the same time endorsing the United Nations‚ 2003 Year of Freshwater Campaign.

We cannot think of a better way of starting the end of Easter. The representatives of all the different sectors of the Earthsavers Movement reaffirm their love for Mother Earth:

"We love the trees that give us fruit and shade us from brother sun.

"We love the soil that gives us food and friendly fragrant flowers.

"We love the sound of music from the singing birds and all the animals and wildlife.

"We love the rivers and lakes and the seas and the beautiful fish that swim in them and to corals where they live.

"We love to breathe the fresh air that gives us life.

"We love to see the white clouds in the blue sky. We love to see the stars of night and the silvery glow of sister moon."

So to protect all these natural bounties, they pledge themselves to do the following:

First, plant more trees, stop illegal logging, take preventionary steps to prevent forest fires and adopt reforestation programs.

Second, protect endangered species and indigenous traditions.

Third, stop illegal fishing and rehabilitate damaged corals.

Fourth, stop polluting the soil and waterways with garbage.

Fifth, stop the practice of burning garbage, especially plastic wastes as this causes global warming that leads to climate change.

Sixth, drastically reduce the use of chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone depleting substances and instead use only environment-friendly substances and technology.

Seventh, minimize smoke emissions from factories and vehicles.

Eighth, campaign against the use of tobacco and enforce the laws on the use of illegal drugs.

Ninth, conserve water and energy.

Tenth and last, prevent wars, ban landmines, nuclear and chemical weapons.

Sad to say, the two worst problems the world is facing today are the consequences of the Iraq war and the SARS that threatens to be a global epidemic. The Earthsavers Movement is committed to making this world a better place to live, not only for us, but for the future generations.