EARTH Day, also known as International Mother Earth Day, is celebrated on April 22. The main aim is to raise awareness about the growing concerns of overpopulation, loss of biodiversity, and the depleting quality of the environment. This year’s theme is “INVEST IN OUR PLANET.” As we focus this year on investing in our planet, we wish to bring perspective to the hopes of intersecting development and protection of Guyana’s environment.

This year’s theme is a key reminder for us to act boldly, innovate broadly, and implement equitably. It’s time to take the benefits of a green economy by adopting it. All governments need to encourage society, institutions, and businesses to build a framework for supporting a stable future.

Every government, every business, and every individual in this world has a voice. There is not going to be one person who can do it all. But now is the time. Together, we can make a difference. We need to act as a team altogether. Sustainability is the answer to sustainable prosperity. Smart and innovative companies are realising that going green will help us all. It is now vital that all business leaders become engaged in shaping the future for sustainability.

Our choices, social actions, and personal communication give us the power to make our voices heard. We all influence the pace of corporate and government activity through what we do and how we do it for the betterment of the Earth.

To prevent climate change, all of us have to act boldly now. If not, our economy would suffer more severe damage, more loss, scarcity of resources, and unemployment.
Time is running out: every action counts, and every second counts. Our future depends on our actions, big or small; all actions count. Only together can we rekindle our planet, keep its heart beating, and our home alive. Let’s make our voices heard together to raise awareness and inspire action.

Here are five easy ways you can celebrate Earth Day every day:
1. Fight climate change with your diet- adopt a more plant-based diet;
2. Organise a community clean-up;
3. Compost your kitchen and yard waste;
4. Reduce your use of single-use plastics; and
5. Conserve your water and electricity use.

On Earth Day, let’s stand up for the environment: together, let’s make Earth’s heartbeat stronger to save our planet, our home.
We also take the opportunity to encourage you to make your contributions to the final Low Carbon Development Strategy document, which can be found at https://lcds.gov.gy/ or by submissions via email lcds2030@op.gov.gy.
You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.