Protect Planet Earth
By Jean Ricot Dormeus
In its 2009 Resolution A/Res/63/278 designating 22 April as International Mother Earth Day , the UN General Assembly acknowledged that the Earth and its ecosystems are our home, and that it is necessary to promote harmony with nature and the Earth in order to achieve a just balance among the economic, social, and environmental needs of present and future generations. Also this Resolution stressed the interdependence that exists among human beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit.
The increasing attention that the world brings to protecting the environment stems from disastrous cataclysmic events. In the United States, Category 5 Hurricane Katrina caused over 1,800 deaths and $125 billion in damage in late August 2005. In 2008, Haiti experienced four storms in a short period of time, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike. Heavy rains provoked damages estimated at over $1 billion, the costliest natural disaster in Haitian history until the 2010 earthquake.
In 1992, 1,700 of the world’s leading scientists urged that fundamental changes were needed. The warning addressed current or potential damage on planet Earth concerning ozone depletion, freshwater resources, marine life depletion, ocean dead zones, forest & biodiversity destruction, climate change, and human population growth.
As human activities have thrown our planet out of balance, it behooves us, in particular at the government level, to adjust the technologies we use and address the impending threat hovering over the well-being and survival of mankind. New habits, new policies, new lifestyles must be on the front burner to keep our environment, including the oceans, clean, to regenerate and protect our forests, and to bring our societies in sync with nature requirements.
As Pope John Paul II stated, “The Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations.” Let’s protect Planet Earth.
Jean Ricot Dormeus
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