Today, April 22, more than one billion people of all nationalities and backgrounds around the globe are observing Earth Day. Uniting under the theme – ‘Mobilize the Earth’, earth’s citizens are standing united for a sustainable future as they voice appreciation for the planet and demand its protection. We, in Guyana, join with the rest of the world in observing Earth Day and encourage all citizens to take action to raise awareness for the protection of our only home – Planet Earth.
Earth Day was the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, U.S.A. and was intended not only to raise awareness about environmental issues, but also to bring environmental issues to the fore-front of the political agenda. Since the first observance in the United States forty-two years ago, there have been many global efforts to ensure the protection and sustainability of the Earth’s natural resources.
This year, Earth Day is designed to direct citizens of earth to undertake quantifiable outcomes for actions through various means such as petitions, the Billion Acts  of Green campaign, and other events.
It is intended as a launching pad for increasing the environmental movement and puts forth a bold declaration demanding immediate action to secure “Renewable Energy for All” and a sustainable future for our planet. The call is made upon local, national, and international leaders to put an end to fossil fuel subsidies, embrace renewable energy technology, improve energy efficiency, and make energy universally accessible.

Over the years, many organizations and institutions have been carrying out “Green Acts” in observance of Earth Day in Guyana. This year, we can take the opportunity to reflect on some of our country’s notable achievements in environmental protection.  Guyana has acceded to a number of Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs) including the:

* Vienna Convention for the protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol On Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer;

* Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change;

* Basel Convention on Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and Disposal;

* Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade; and

* Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Guyana has even gone a step further and ratified several Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification; and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Besides committing to the responsibilities under various MEAs, important environmental legislation has also been passed in our country to manage the use of our environment and natural resources. These include the Environmental Protection Act  which established the Environmental Protection Agency; Environmental Protection Regulations, the Mining Act  and Mining Amendment Regulations; and the Guyana Forestry Commission Act.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment remains committed to the sustainable exploitation of our natural resources and preservation of our biological diversity.