22
April has been declared International Mother Earth Day by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Every year, on this day, over a billion people in 190
countries, from San Francisco to San Juan, Beijing to Brussels, Moscow to
Marrakesh, plant trees, clean up their communities, contact their elected
officials, and more, all on behalf of the environment.
UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for International Mother Earth Day 2014
is:
“I
appeal to all people everywhere to raise their voices. Speak out on behalf of
this planet, our only home. Let us care for Mother Earth so she can continue to
care for us as she has done for millennia.”
“Mother
Earth” is a common expression used to describe the planet Earth in a number of
countries and regions. For instance, Bolivians call Mother Earth “Pachamama”
and Nicaraguans refer to her as “Tonantzin”.
The
International Mother Earth Day 2014 campaign is Green Cities. As the urban
population grows (today, more than half of the world’s population lives in
cities) and the effects of climate change worsen, our cities have to evolve: we
need forward-thinking public policy, we have to educate the public, and we must
create a sustainable, healthy environment by investing in sustainable
technology and renewable energy.
Questions/to do:
- What is the organization that created International Mother Earth Day?
- What happens on this day and why?
- Situate San Francisco, San Juan, Beijing, Brussels, Moscow and Marrakesh on a map.
- Translate Ban Ki-moon's message.
- Do you like the term "Mother Earth"?
- What is a "green city"?
- What events are being organized in France to mark Earth Day?
- What, if anything, will you (and your family and friends) be doing for the planet today?
