WORLD ASSEMBLY OF YOUTH PRESS RELEASES: INTERNATIONAL MOTHER EARTH DAY - Green Cities campaign

WORLD ASSEMBLY OF YOUTH

PRESS RELEASES

INTERNATIONAL MOTHER EARTH DAY: ‘GREEN CITIES’

DATE: 22ND APRIL 2014

‘We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children’~ Native American Proverb

For many years, she, our mother earth, has inhabited humans, animals and plants providing a haven to accommodate all living things without asking for much in return, merely a pledge to live in harmony. Regarding the vast benefits that have been rendered to us, it is sad to know that society has repaid with little or almost nothing; instead, society continues to act as an agent of destruction posing many challenges and annihilations suffered by her.

To acknowledge the significance of Mother Earth, 22nd of April has been specially observed as the International Mother Earth Day, held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally. It recognizes that the Earth and its ecosystems provide its inhabitants with life and sustenance. It also aims to raise awareness that humans have a collective responsibility to promote harmony with nature and to balance the economic, social and environmental needs of present as well as those of future generations.

This year’s theme, ‘Green Cities’, focuses on making communities all over the world, green,  healthy and sustainable. In fact, recent days are the high time when societies are mostly determined to invest in efficient and renewable energy, rebuild cities and towns, and solve the climate crisis. Over the next couple of years, with a focus on Earth Day 2014, the Green Cities campaign will mobilize a global movement to hasten the transition of blending a modern urban-lifestyle with a touch of nature. Its aim is to help cities accelerate their transition to a cleaner, healthier, and more economically viable future through improvement in efficiency, investment in renewable technology and regulation reform. In addition, all stakeholders will work on the ground by strategically placing cities and towns to organise grassroots efforts to improve local codes, ordinances, and policies that will help in realization of green cities.

We, at World Assembly of Youth (WAY), are observing the selected theme “Green Cities” to highlight the awareness of measures taken to protect our mother earth. We strongly believe the time has come to halt all actions which degrade our mother earth; instead, we should seek proper ways of tailoring nature and green environment to the metropolitan life. We, especially young people, are all accountable and shall take up the responsibility by increasing efforts, raising awareness; taking initiative, and righting the wrongs of our ancestors. It’s time for youth to invest in efficiency and renewable energy, rebuild cities and towns, and begin to solve the climate crisis. Small efforts and contributions of youth such as usage of environmental friendly products and involvement as volunteers to conduct activities pertaining to green environment are highly encouraged.

Today possesses a scared opportunity for all people to unite, to seek harmony and peace to nature, for our children, families, societies, and for all inhabitants of Mother Earth. Thus, let us join hands in love, compassion and understanding to call for a new era of green cities revolution.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL MOTHER EARTH DAY!

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WAY Secretariat