Posted by
Scatbug on Thursday, June 05, 2008 3:29:08 PM
If you’re like me, you’ve had June 5 circled on your calendar for quite some time. For today is the annual celebration of
World Environment Day! (motto: Just like Earth Day, but different!) World Environment Day, or WED for the acronymically inclined, is that day each year the UN sets aside to recognize the environment in which we live. It is also a rallying point and call to action for all concerned world citizens to examine their lives and ask if they are doing enough to stave off impending global catastrophe.
This year’s WED theme is “Kick the CO2 habit!” Accordingly, world-wide events focus on carbon footprints and how we might knock our own down a few sizes, as it were. Originally, I had thought of including some helpful CO2 kicking tips such as using a non-electric toothbrush or cancelling return flights across the Atlantic (“equivalent to running a car for a year for each passenger”). Instead, I leave you with a stirring message from one of WED’s eminent sponsors. The text below the photo is a transcription of what’s in the box, which may be tool small to read.
My name is Mikhail Gorbachev, Founding President of Green Cross International. After more than 50 years in politics, I believe one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today is the need to viable and clean energy solutions. Failure to act will place the world at risk of serious crises. We can’t afford to wait! We all have a part to play to make energy a catalyst for peace and development.
And in a special WED statement, Mr. Gorbachev added to those sentiments, reminding us that the impossible is only in our minds:
Remember this. If I could win the Cold War by surrendering, you can do the same with global climate change. Simply start by telling yourself, “Yes I can.”
Now go do something good!!