The Word Earth Day is observed on 22nd April this year. In fact World Earth Day is observed the occasion on this day each year, while some people celebrate Earth Day around the time of the vernal equinox.
The April 22 Earth Day, founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, was first organized in 1970 to promote ecology and respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution.
Earth Day aims to inspire awareness of and appreciation for earth's environment. It is currently observed in more than 140 countries around the world.
The April 22 Earth Day is usually celebrated with outdoor performances, where individuals or groups perform acts of service to earth. Typical ways of observing Earth Day include planting trees, picking up roadside trash, conducting various programs for recycling and conservation, using recyclable containers for snacks and lunches. Some people are encouraged to sign petitions to governments, calling for stronger or immediate action to stop global warming and to reverse environmental destruction. Television stations frequently air programs dealing with environmental issues.
The theme for this year is: ‘Clean the Earth, Heal the Earth, Green the Earth’.
REALITY
(a) Air pollution: due to increase in carbon dioxide caused by industrial activities; smoke from vehicles; use of chemical fertilizer and rubbish dumping;
(b) Water pollution: due to destruction of natural forest causing pollution of clean water source;
(c) Landslides: Due to destruction of flora and fauna causing landslides.
What should we do?
(a) Physically: keep our environment and surroundings clean;
(b) Politically: conservation and restoration of the environment.
(c) Spiritually: see and reflect that God exist in His creation; be the hands and feet of God in restoring this earth to become the "Garden of Eden" (Gen 2:8, 15), realize that destroying nature is a sin towards the Creator.
(d) Faith Climate Campaign:educates leaders and members of religious communities to bring climate change education and opportunities for civic activism to those associated with religious life.
How can we achieve all these?
We go back to the Sacraments and see how God talks about nature in them:
(a) Baptism: water symbolizes sanctification of sin. Polluted water means death;
(b) Eucharist: we eat and drink with the Lord. Excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizer make our daily food unsafe;
(c) Reconciliation: we need to reconcile with nature and not to destroy it;
Holy Father's Easter Message Highlights Climate Change.
Our beloved Pope links the threat of climate change with so many other threats to life and dignity in his annual Easter message:
At a time of world food shortage, of financial turmoil, of old and new forms of poverty, of disturbing climate change, of violence and deprivation which force many to leave their homelands in search of a less precarious form of existence, of the ever-present threat of terrorism, of growing fears over the future, it is urgent to rediscover grounds for hope. Let no one draw back from this peaceful battle that has been launched by Christ's Resurrection. For as I said earlier, Christ is looking for men and women who will help him to affirm his victory using his own weapons: the weapons of justice and truth, mercy, forgiveness and love. —Pope Benedict XVI, Urbi et Orbi, Easter 2009.
The 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010 will be recognized by future generations as a world turning point, and a shift toward global sustainability symbolized by the birth of The Green Generation™.
So why wait? The Churches, the NGOs and the Government should start planning the Earth Day 2010 event now and together we join The Green Generation™!
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