Let's give Earth a helping hand.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. It has been 40 years since the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 in the United States and much has been accomplished in terms of global awareness in the need to protect and save our environment from destruction.

Although there has been a significant increase in environmental awareness on climate change there are still serious problems that need to be addressed. Our government has yet to show initiatives in exploring other alternative source of fuel or energy and there has been no significant effort to cut carbon emissions. And there’s also the inadequate muscle in protecting our country’s forests and coral reefs.

Climate change poses a serious threat to our survival. The onslaught of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng last year in the Philippines which triggered devastating floods gave us a taste of what environmental degradation can do to us. We can only hope that we will be spared of these calamities this year.

Over a billion people in some 190 countries are expected to participate in activities in commemoration of the Earth Week. In the Philippines, there will also be activities lined up for the Earth Week. But beyond the symbolic activities, we must ensure that laws that were passed to conserve our environment are efficiently enforced. Each individual must also do his share in protecting the environment. Indeed, Earth Day should not only be celebrated for one day or one week, each of us should be committed in living an environment-friendly lifestyle everyday. Let’s give earth a helping hand.

Here's a video from Greenpeace: