April 19, 2010 – Earth Day turns 40e anniversary, next April 22. Despite the projects and efforts to protect the planet, the organizers draw up a worrying assessment. They wish to denounce actions that are harmful to the environment in everyday life.
“Without even realizing it, we all take actions that are harmful to our planet on a daily basis. This is why our advertising campaign has as its theme the game of war, to underline our recklessness vis-à-vis our violent behavior towards the environment, ”says Pierre Lussier, director of Jour de la Terre for Quebec.
He recalls that these actions may seem trivial at first glance, but they have a devastating impact on biological diversity; for example the use of detergents which contain phosphate.
“Another gesture that we often do unconsciously is to consume foods that contain corn syrup. The way we cultivate these huge maize lands is becoming a problem for biodiversity. Of course, it is the cheapest syrup for sweetening cereals and soft drinks. But this sugar is both harmful for the planet and for our health by making us fat, ”says Pierre Lussier.
Biodiversity is the central theme of this edition of Earth Day. The year 2010 has also been declared the International Year of Biological Diversity by the United Nations Assembly.
A walk to act
On this Earth Day, nearly 800 activities1 will take place across Quebec, including a collective march in downtown Montreal, to invite everyone to take action to protect their planet. This popular event will start from Place Jean-Paul Riopelle (rue Viger, corner Saint-Urbain) at 11:30 a.m.
More than 180 countries are participating in Earth Day. In Quebec, the event has been celebrated since 1995.
The biodiversityEarth Day defines biodiversity as “the diversity of the living world and the complex links maintained by constantly changing environments. It reflects the number, variety and variability of living organisms, both bacteria and humans. We are talking about genes, species and ecosystems ”. How to act on a daily basis to preserve it
To find out more about the actions to take to preserve biodiversity: www.jourdelaterre.org |
Carole Boulé – PasseportSanté.net
1. To find out more about Earth Day activities: www.jourdelaterre.org
