Earth Day and why we should celebrate it

In Malta we celebrate several holidays. There’s practically one a month, however April sometimes misses out depending on when Easter comes as happened this year. By this point, flowers are beginning to bloom and other plants are starting to flourish. The change in weather means that most people try to look for any excuse to spend some time in the sunshine, as they should! There is however, one day which people tend to either overlook or in some cases are not aware of. That day is Earth Day. To some people, this may be a totally foreign concept. Don’t worry, in this blog post we’ll be discussing exactly what Earth Day is and how we can celebrate it!

What Exactly is Earth Day?

To properly celebrate Earth Day, we need to be aware of what it means. Earth Day takes place every year on the 22nd of April. It first started in the early 1970s as one of the main contributing factors to the environmental movement at the time. It originated in the U.S but has since become worldwide. This global importance of environmental conservation was quickly adopted by Malta and thus Earth Day is also celebrated here. Originally it began at the grassroots level. Local organisations as well as environmental activists come together to advocate for a cleaner and more sustainable set of islands.

What makes Earth Day so Significant?

After discussing what Earth Day entails, the next step would be to explain why it’s so significant, especially here in Malta. In Malta, we struggle with several complex environmental challenges. These challenges include rapid urbanisation, limited space given that Malta is an island and trying to find a balance when it comes to conserving historical sites and its natural beauty. We should already be trying to help combat these challenges. In any case, Earth Day provides us with an opportunity to prioritise our environmental issues specifically. Here we can raise our concerns about the environment as well as awareness for environmental preservation through sustainable practices.
Perhaps the biggest issue that Earth Day addresses in Malta is its need for responsible tourism. This is significant due to the emphasis given by advocates as well as local authorities to keep Malta and Gozo’s beaches pristine. There is also an emphasis put on conserving historical sites so they can be enjoyed by future generations, local and foreign. Earth Day also gives us a chance to strive towards more sustainable practices, especially regarding renewable energy and responsible consumption.

How can We Celebrate Earth Day?

Although it isn’t a holiday, there are still ways in which we can contribute and actively participate in Earth Day. You can participate in a few ways, all of which are sustainable. This could include supporting local and sustainable products such as local produce and other businesses. You can participate in or even organise clean-up events to preserve environmental sites. This could involve volunteering to help local environmental organisations as this could help protect the natural beauty of the Maltese Islands. Should there be nothing you can do physically for Earth Day, you could opt to be an advocate for preservation and the responsible management of green areas around the Maltese Islands.

Earth Day is not just an annual celebration; it’s a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect the environment and promote sustainability. By understanding the history and significance of Earth Day and participating in activities that foster sustainability, we can all contribute to a healthier, greener planet for future generations. Join the global movement, take personal actions, and be an integral part of the change this Earth Day. Together, we can build a sustainable future that benefits both the Earth and all its inhabitants.

Our GO Green Initiative

At GO plc, we’re not just a telecommunications company, we’re a group of people who connect people all over Malta and Gozo. We strive to maintain this connectivity, not just digitally, but also physically. It’s important that we take care of our physical environment so that future generations can also enjoy the same connectivity. That’s why we’ve set up GO Green, an extension of GO primarily focusing on helping sustain and improve the environment whenever possible.

This blog post was written by Benjamin Thomas Scerri – Sustainability Associate, GO Green.

Benjamin is a member of the GO Green team. His main focus is keeping track of new ways in which to make GO more sustainable wherever and whenever possible.