One earth, our earth

MANILA, Philippines - With the formation of Earth Day Networks, people around the world have recognized the importance of taking care of the Earth. Now on its 40th year, countries all over the planet will be celebrating Earth Day on April 22.

“Earth Day is an example of the power of one,” says Bebet Gozun, chairman of Earth Day Network Philippines and 2007 Champion of the Earth awardee of the United Nations Environment Program.

The now global movement was started by one man – US Senator Gaylord Nelson. Being able to raise awareness for the environment throughout his political career, Americans took to the streets to support his cause on April 22, 1970.

In 1990, Earth Day went global, with the Philippines becoming one of 141 countries that joined the celebration. Since then, the Philippine branch of Earth Day Network has established itself as an active supporter of the cause. Last year, 647 local government units (LGU) participated in Earth Hour, an activity in conjunction with Earth Day. This year, in the recently concluded Earth Hour, 1,077 LGUs as well as business and private sector groups and individuals turned off their lights for an hour. In these two years, the Philippines placed first in the world when it comes to Earth Hour participation. With already two-thirds of the LGUs nationwide participating, Gozun says, “We are aiming for 100 percent next year.”

In the past, the countdown to Earth Day was marked with environmental facts to create awareness of and appreciation for nature. This year, the countdown features simple things that anyone can do to help save the environment. “It is a call to action,” says Gozun.

“Given what has happened in the past four decades, there is a more compelling reason to take action,” she adds, stating that last year’s typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” as well as recent earthquakes and extremes in weather are clear indications of nature reacting to man’s misuse and overconsumption of resources.

Some of the simple tasks that can be done include riding mass transit systems or even walking short distances instead of using a car; reusing non-biodegradable waste; bringing reusable bags when grocery shopping; buying organic products; and turning off the air conditioner one hour before office hours end. Even just making sure to not overcharge cell phones can save a substantial amount of electricity. Gozun adds that changing five million incandescent lights to compact fluorescent lamps translates to almost 75 percent savings in energy consumption, which also saves time and money that the government would use to build a new power plant that is needed if energy consumption does not go down. Gozun adds that these tips do not only help save the environment – “They have a significant impact on our health.”

Gozun explains, “One action has many benefits, just like one action can cause many problems.” To make all the positive actions – or what they have dubbed as green acts – count, Earth Day Network Philippines has launched the 10 Million Movement. At www.10mm.ph, Filipinos can make pledges of things they will do to save the environment. Each commitment is symbolized by a leaf on a tree on the site’s home page. Each leaf is also a thumbprint; Gozun explains that this stands for the personal commitment each person is making to the Earth. “It is time for people to take personal responsibility for what is happening to the environment.” With the 10 Million Movement, the future is – literally and figuratively – in their hands.

“This is a way for people to show that they care,” Gozun says of the project. The 10 Million Movement pledges will be added to those collected around the world. The Earth Day Network hopes to gain two billion commitments to green acts worldwide. Aside from individual actions, institutions are also encouraged to commit to green acts such as saving water and energy and re-using scratch paper. “The big problems we have come from the small things,” says Gozun.

With the 10 Million Movement, small tasks are also used to counteract this. “Of course there is also a need for big actions like policy changes,” Gozun adds, “but through this project, we are empowering people. You can make a difference.”

At the end of the countdown, a big celebration awaits on April 22. The main event will happen at the SM Mall of Asia with a State of the Philippine Environment address, Musikalikasan competition, Zero-Basura Olympics awarding, a junk art contest, and the presentation of the 10 Million Acts of Green.

In Pasig there will be a fluvial parade to call for much-needed attention to the plight of Philippine waters, especially the Pasig River. The Cultural Center of the Philippines will celebrate Earth Day with a regatta, Manila Bay clean-up, environmental film festival, and traditional water rituals. Simultaneously, all over the country, Filipinos will be celebrating Earth Day with programs and activities in Dipolog, Davao, Bataan and other areas.

The festivities continue on April 23 with Earth Jam 2010, a street party along Tomas Morato Avenue. Gozun notes, “Ten years ago, it was hard to get artists to volunteer for Earth Jam. Now, there are so many we have to turn some down or limit them to only a few songs each.”

The increased interest in joining Earth Day activities is not just true for musicians wanting to join Earth Jam, but for all the participants of the different programs. Gozun muses that the increase in attention and importance that people are giving to environmental protection is due to the fact that everyone is starting to feel the direct effects of the earth’s deterioration – a sentiment summed up by the 2010 Earth Day theme, Hamon ng Panahon. “We have reached a critical level,” Gozun says, pointing out that soil erosion, deforestation, water and air pollution, and improper waste management are just some of the problems that the country has to address. The only good thing that she sees about the recent natural disasters is that they have created more awareness for the environment and pushed more people to support their cause.

Beyond Earth Day, Gozun hopes that efforts continue to save the environment. “We’re all ordinary people, but working together we can do extraordinary things.”

Earth Day Network Philippines hopes to see a significant improvement in the overall environmental quality in the near future, enabled by everyone’s green acts each day.

“We have to make every day Earth Day,” says Gozun. We only have one Earth, but it will surely take more than one person and more than one day to save it. Earth Day is a call to people all over the world to act as one in saving the environment.

For more information on Earth Day activities, visit www.earthdayphils.org. To make a green act commitment, go to www.10mm.ph.