Earth Day 2008

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Today a majority of the world, the Philippines included, celebrates Earth Day, which, since it was first celebrated in 1970, has been widely recognized as the birth of the modern environmental movement. 

If it had not been for the huge success of the initial Earth Day, the fight against oil spills, all kinds of pollution, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, wildlife extinction, and uncontrolled urbanization and industrialization would have been the sole responsibility of the few environmentalist groups. It would not have entered the general consciousness of the Earth’s inhabitants until it was too late, and the only planet we call home had already suffered too much irreversible damage in the name of progress and development.

Today, we celebrate Earth Day while facing the twin threats of a full-blown oil crisis and a simmering global food shortage.  Oil and food, two of the most critical needs of modern human society, come from the Earth, and the current situation emphasizes our dependence on this planet, as well as illustrating how we may be close to reaching the limits that we have been continuously stretching in terms of the Earth’s ability to safely support modern human life and all the conveniences that go along with it.

Our problems with oil and food are still bearable and solvable, mainly because the planet Earth looks like it can still weather the storms that humanity has unleashed upon it so far.  But if we do not take heed and continue with our destructive and wasteful ways, our problems with oil and food will escalate and will most likely be compounded with more problems concerning the other gifts of the Earth, such as the quality of the water that we drink, and the air that we breathe, as well as the declining availability of nonrenewable resources such as metals and minerals, and the extinction of plant and animal species, that could hold the key to curing many of the sicknesses and diseases that continue to plague our existence.

Earth Day reminds us of our responsibility as stewards of the Earth.  Those of us who are observant will realize that every day reminds us of the consequences of taking that enormous responsibility for granted.*