Earth Day

New York, April 22, 2012

As every year, this Sunday, April 22nd, we will celebrate Earth Day all around the world.

It isn't a holiday, but it falls on a Sunday, and many institutions will host activities throughout the week with the objective of raising awareness and sensitivity among people on the need to look after and protect the environment.

History: Where did this idea come from? On April 22, 1970, the first rally calling for the creation of an environmental institution took place, promoted by Senator Gaylord Nelson. The pressure was such, that the United States created the Environmental Protection Agency. Although some, along with the United Nations, celebrate it on the day of the Winter equinox (around March 21), what really matters is highlighting that an ever increasing number of people, institutions and governments are working to create various projects to preserve the planet.

What can we do as individuals to start bringing about change:

Every single person on the planet can contribute to the safekeeping of our environment by following these suggestions:

• Reflect upon your daily choices in food, clothing and transportation. Learn about how you can reduce waste in your home by following the 3R's: reduce, reuse and recycle.
• Plant a tree or decorate your home with ornamental plants.
• Choose glass over plastic.
• Reuse paper, and avoid single use plastics (ie: plastic bags, cups and other disposables)
• Lead by example.
• Educate and teach younger generations to value and protect their natural environment.
• Save water and energy by turning off lights and faucets.
• Use public transportation, walk or use a bike.
• Support your local parks systems by visiting parks and enjoying the outdoors.
• Respect every living being on the planet.

Activities: Earth day inspires the organization of many activities around the world, ranging from hikes, to outdoor shows, beach and park cleanings, and waste recycling, among others. But, what activities will take place in Santo Domingo, that you can join in on to celebrate the Earth?

• FREE MOVIE SCREENING: This Sunday, April 22nd at 4:00 pm in FUNDGLODE's headquarters, there will be a screening of "One Day on Earth". REGISTER at www.undiaenlatierra.org
• REFORESTATION: Join Fundación Ozama RD Verde in celebrating Earth Day this April 22nd, between 10 a.m. and 12 noon, in Las Enfermeras, Los Mina sector. Access through Ave. Venezuela, on the Ozama riverside.
• ENVIRONMENTAL PICNIC: Rio+Vos República Dominicana – Environmental Picnic, Earth Day: Fundación Santa Lola will host an environmental picnic in San Pedro de Macorís, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free of charge.
• CELEBRATION: The Ministry of the Environment invites the community to join this celebration which will start in Altar de la Patria at 10 a.m., and continue in the Ministry of the Environment's stand at the Book Fair with a compelling program for boys and girls. Date: April 22nd.
• VIRTUAL CHATS: In celebration of Earth Day, the United States Embassy will host virtual chat sessions between April 23rd and April 26th, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

"Mother Earth - our only home - is under pressure. We are making progressively unreasonable demands on her… The impact of our neglectful stewardship is being felt most by the world's most vulnerable people… Without a sustainable environmental base, we will have little hope of attaining our objectives for reducing poverty and hunger and improving health and human well-being… I call on all governments, businesses and citizens of the world to give our Mother Earth the respect and care she deserves."

Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General.