“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
Earth Day is observed on April 22nd annually to show support for the protection of the environment. This year, St. Kitts and Nevis will join the rest of the world to celebrate Earth Day under the theme, “Restore Our Earth.” Restore means to give back, return or simply put back into its former state.
Fittingly, this year’s theme focuses not only on the need to reduce our impact on the planet as we recover from the effects of Covid-19, but also how we can play a role in repairing the damage we’ve done. We must look at natural processes, green technologies, and innovative thinking that can make a lasting and transformative impact to restore our Earth.
It is important for us to restore our earth as we are dependent on the earth’s natural systems for goods, ranging from building materials to seafood, as well as services, ranging from flood control to crop pollination. If our livestock are dying, croplands are eroding, harvests are shrinking, water tables are falling and our wells are going dry, WE will be in trouble. If our environmental support systems continue to decline, eventually civilization itself will follow.
We can all do our part to make a difference. Let’s find ways to restore our environment by doing the simple things. Plant a tree, volunteer, and participate in environmental initiatives such as beach cleanups, community cleanups and start minimizing our dependencies on single-use plastics. We can also save electricity by turning off lights when we leave the room and turn off the tap to eliminate the unnecessary usage of water.
Remember, we cannot go through life without having an impact on the environment around us. What we do can make a difference and we must decide what kind of difference we want to make. This Earth Day, the Department of Environment St. Kitts is encouraging you to reflect on what you are doing to make our planet a more sustainable and livable place for all.
