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Earth Day on the Rock
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by Lyana Armstrong-Emery,
Co-ordinator, Friends of the Earth, Gibraltar.
All round the world increasing numbers of people work together to celebrate Earth Day each year on 22nd April. This year's efforts to prepare locally mean I hope that most people in Gibraltar have now at least heard of this annual festival.
What's it all about ? Well, simply put, it's a special day to celebrate our planet and promote its healthy environment and sustainability. Of course the issues involved in this are just as important on all the other days of the year too, but a special 'focus day' once a year is useful in reminding us all of them.
There was a time when the environment as an issue was pretty low down on most people's list of priorities. What was regarded as much more important was expanding the economy with all that entailed. Things like pollution, over-use of resources, massive waste of recyclable materials, the effects of corporate greed, global warming and so on were just seen as silly, fringe issues trumpeted by silly fringe people.
No more. Everyone now realises (whether they'll admit it or not) that these issues are vitally important and action on them is imperative for global society and its long-term survival. It's as stark as that and it's not just 'greenies' like me who realise it.
Even in our small Gibraltar we can do our part and slowly but surelybthings are moving in the right direction. There is much still to do in the years ahead.
For the present though, I wish everyone a Happy Earth Day !
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