April 21, 2005 – April 22, Earth Day returns for a 35e consecutive year. This year’s celebrations coincide with the recent publication of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Board Statement prepared by some 1,300 experts in 95 countries under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)1.
The authors of this Earth Health Check claim that while some experts still question the gravity of the situation, the facts show that the ecological imbalance is approaching the point of no return. “In this period of unprecedented exploitation of the earth’s natural bounty, (…) this statement leans more towards the red alert than towards skepticism. ”
The experts’ observation is unequivocal. More than 60% of the ecosystems on which the human species depends are threatened. Fifteen of the planet’s twenty-four major ecosystems are currently under stress to such an extent that it can seriously affect humans. The emergence of new diseases and pests, the depletion of drinking water supplies, the increase in the number of “dead” coastal areas, the decline of fisheries, the disappearance of forests, the deterioration of agricultural land and changes. climatic conditions create a situation of extreme urgency which calls for immediate and draconian interventions.
Faced with this sad record, Jacques Languirand, a well-known Quebec playwright, author and communicator, voluntarily chooses optimism. As Earth Day spokesperson, he invites each of us to actively participate in the countless activities that will unfold in the days and weeks to come. For Quebec, you can find the list on the official website2 : they range from cleaning chores to cycling days, through nature hikes and information kiosks on recovery, waste, transport, GMOs, etc.
In their report, the UN experts propose several courses of action and policies to be adopted. Here are a few: integrate environmental costs into the price of goods and services, reduce agricultural productivism, introduce the concepts of ecosystem protection into all government policies and programs, massively adopt energy saving programs and resorting more and more to soft energies.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to The duty
1. Millennium Synthesis Report on Ecosystem Assessment. UNEP. [Consulté le 20 avril 2005]. www.milleniumassessment.org
2. Earth Day – Quebec [Consulté le 21 avril 2005.] www.jourdelaterre.org
Image credit: www.jourdelaterre.org.
