April 19, 2007

by Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean

April 22, 2007, is Earth Day.

Earth Day was started in 1970 to make young people aware of the importance of respecting the environment. Nearly 40 years later, we see that ecosystems have deteriorated and the dangers caused by climate change have gotten worse.

Although experts have given us multiple warnings and numerous organizations and citizens have made repeated efforts, pollution, the deterioration of our natural resources and our consumer habits have made our planet vulnerable to various calamities. Every year, we see more contamination, floods, hurricanes, heat waves and drought. Extreme weather conditions, deforestation and the melting of the ice caps threaten our planet and thousands of animal and plant species—not to mention our own!

The international community and the public understand the seriousness of the situation today more than ever before. As Canadians, what can we do on a daily basis? Is it possible that we can think and act ecologically and with green ethics in our everyday lives and in our communities? What can we really do with regard to our collective responsibility towards the environment?

I look forward to hearing your ideas.