In the past, April is the month when people come together to mark Earth Day, reminding everyone how important preserving and promoting our home is for the next generation to enjoy. Under the COVID-19 pandemic, which is a reflection of how we treat the environment, it becomes urgent to actively share in the healing of the only home we will ever have –Earth.
We take the liberty of publishing excerpts of the privilege speech last Tuesday of Councilor Pilar Braga on Earth Day 2020.
“We celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22. It is a day when we as children of Mother Earth honor our home planet and pay tribute to all its blessings. It is a day for all of us to remember our environment and rich natural resources and be grateful for all the gifts it has yielded for us and our children.
“This year despite the COVID19 pandemic and community quarantine we do not take a step backward. Instead we globally move forward and celebrate Earth Day 2020 with the theme “Climate Action”. This enormous challenge as well as the vast opportunities of action on climate change has distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for its 50th Anniversary.
“To quote some lines of Ugandan President Kaguta Museven: “The world is currently in a state of war. A war without guns and bullets, without borders and sacred zones. The army in this war is without mercy or respect. It is an invisible, fleet footed, and ruthlessly effective army. Its only agenda is to harvest death. Thankfully this invisible enemy has a weakness and it can be defeated. It only requires a collective action, discipline, and forbearance.
“COVID-19 cannot survive social and physical distancing. It only thrives when you confront it. It loves to be confronted. But it bows down before good personal hygiene. It is helpless and lame when you keep your hands sanitized. Thus, let us obey and follow instructions of authorities and leaders. Let us flatten the COVID19 curve by using strength in obedience. Above all, let us exercise patience. In no time, and in God’s good grace, we shall regain our freedom, socializing and enterprise.”
