What is the significance of World Earth Day celebration to you?

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: More and more people are gaining some kind of awareness. Thanks to the vigilance of the media, every person is becoming responsible in taking care of Mother Earth.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Okay lang to cooperate for a good cause. I wonder, though, why walang beneficial effect sa electric bill ko. Lalo pa’ng tumaas.  

A timely reminder

Lucas Banzon Madamba, Laguna: World Earth Day is a call towards saving and taking care of the Earth’s natural environment. It is a call to protect, help and preserve the environment by cleaning it up and restoring the natural resources embedded in the halls of the Earth’s natural environment.  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: It’s important to me and to the people of the world, as it stresses the need to protect Mother Earth from the destruction inflicted upon it by human beings.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It serves as a reminder for me to take care of Mother Earth in my own personal way. It is also a reminder that the earth is a beautiful planet that deserves to be well taken care of.  

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: The World Earth Day celebration is significant because it reminds each of us that every time we neglect our Earth (pollution/illegal mining/any kind of wars/excessive logging, etc.), it causes major havoc to our natural resources, which will eventually kill our very own planet; while the Holy Week reminds us that sins we are purposely committing will eventually burn our very own soul.  

It’s too late

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Nothing. Mayroon pa ba? The World Earth Day celebration is too late, considering the various natural and manmade calamities, disasters and destruction going on around the world. These are all due to the shortcomings and negligence of world leaders and citizenry in finding and implementing solutions to save Mother Earth from further catastrophe.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: The significance of World Earth Day is to constantly remind us that we have failed the Earth, that we are unable to save it from degradation.  

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: The world is now in dangerous times which require desperate measures. For so long we have abused Mother Earth in every way imaginable that many disasters occurring everywhere are stark reminders for urgent change lest it becomes too late.  

Climate change is our own doing

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: The ever-changing climate  too hot during the dry season and massive flooding during the rainy season  is the result of man’s disregard for ecological balance, which in the long run, causes fatal ailments and a decrease in farm production and, worse, fatal calamities such as earthquakes and tsunamis. Man cannot stop climate change, but he should not aggravate the situation by being responsible in terms of proper garbage disposal and taking care of the environment and natural resources. To make the World Earth Day celebration significant is to make every citizen aware of the need to love and care for God-given nature and environment that are sustaining our life.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: World Earth Day is important to show concern for Mother Earth. Climate change is one big outcome of our neglect and abuse.  

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Earth Day celebration is a grim reminder of how we’ve abused Mother Nature. Weather has run havoc as a result of the uncontrolled burning of fossil fuel, the denudation of forests, wanton disposal of waste, and uncontrolled population growth.  

We don’t care

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Earth Day? Nada because we don’t care about Mother Earth. As I see it, we simply ignore the call for us to change and at the rate things are, Mother Earth will surely continue to punish us with landslides, floods and intense heat. This has been a long-time call, but until now, ganito pa rin tayo.

Do’s and don’ts

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: It reminds and makes us aware of the do’s and don’ts to be able to make the Earth and its environment conducive to live in. However, our concerted effort is needed to realize that. Otherwise, it’s only relegated as blah blah blah.  

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: Throwing garbage into the sea is not a good example of commemorating Earth Day.  

We’re all getting older

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Mother Earth is getting older and so are we. While we get wiser, the Earth gets weaker.  

Everyone’s mandate

Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: It reminds of the simple fact that we all come from the Earth and that the Earth is sustaining us all in everything we need. We live and die according to its rules.  

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: Universal love of Mother Earth should prevail. With climate change and contaminants everywhere, World Earth Day celebration reminds us of our existence and our responsibility to our beloved planet Earth. It’s only when we take good care of the environment that we can live a longer and happy life.  

Noel Alquiza, Metro Manila: It’s for the sake of humanity. Mother Earth nurtures life, but if neglect and abuse continue, it can destroy life, as already experienced by mankind.  

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: We celebrate World Earth Day to remind everyone that we need to care for and protect the Earth in order for us to live longer and enjoy the wonders of nature. Celebrating it would increase the extent of one’s consciousness of environmental protection.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: It’s a call for small acts of discipline; one that will elicit a sincere regard for our environs, and will make our world a better place to live in.  

Mystery of creation

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Learned theories and studies by man have miserably failed to sort out the mystery of creation, which He alone has the power to do.  

Scary reminder

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: It’s very significant because our area of Poblacion, Pio V. Corpus, Masbate is always flooded when a typhoon strikes and we are helpless.  

No tangible strides

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: The Earth Day celebration started in the US in 1970, but it was only in 2008 that the Philippines officially joined the celebration. I believe that the objective of this movement is very important to a world that is continuously battered by the abuse done by man to the environment. To me, then, such a celebration is significant as it is supposed to focus on today’s biggest environmental problem, climate change, and taking steps to assure my children and my children’s children of a better world to live in. However, unlike in the US, I see no tangible strides in our country towards the celebration’s objective. Our rivers are still polluted, the esteros in Metro Manila are still dirty, and environmental discipline is still very low. Some sectors should make Earth Day an everyday celebration by everyone.  

Use reverse psychology

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: Its significance to me is that it’s just telling us that we have damaged the Earth, polluted it and abused it, and now we need to get our acts together, especially the people here in the Philippines, to stop polluting our environment, stop illegal logging, stop throwing garbage anywhere, and just about anything that will damage our Mother Earth. Knowing Pinoys, however, they will probably do the opposite. Matitigas kasi mga ulo ng Pinoy eh, so maybe I should instead say: pollute here, do illegal logging, throw garbage, etc., and perhaps they will do the exact opposite.  

Meaningless occasion

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Without a continued program of planting trees around the country to cool urban areas or to support soil in mountain areas to prevent landslides and maintain ecological balance; no ban on mining that necessitates digging or exhuming soil; no strict regulation on timber-cutting; no ban on smoke-belching industrial plants and motor vehicles; without bike lanes on all roads and no promotion of animal-driven transport in plain areas; without educating the people on the importance of and keeping ecological balance, the World Earth Day celebration with just a display of beauty queens and meaningless speeches, make the World Earth Day celebration not significant at all.  

Rene Poder, Manila: Worldwide “sound and fury”, signifying nothing but PR, mutual backslapping. Developed countries, after raping Mother Earth, impose rules on poor ones.  

Punish environmental criminals

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Beloved Mother Earth is the center of the World Earth Day celebrations. In deference, I believe that P-Noy should not foot-drag as our “Kung walang kurap, walang mahirap” President in running after and jailing criminals who are into environmental criminalities, whoever they may be. These are the beasts in human bodies who, in order to fill their pockets, do not care about Mother Earth. Illegal logging, magnetite mining and whatnot are still happening in our country.  

Methane gas

Jun Montebon, Parañaque City: It’s a timely reminder for every Juan to keep our world livable. But then, how can we contain methane gas emanating from pasture lands?  

Nuclear disaster in Japan

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: It holds no significance at all. Environmentalists have failed to address the issues on the nuclear disaster in Japan. An all-out effort to stop nuclear radiation leaking from those Japanese nuclear plants should be made now, before all of us in this planet become radioactive. Do you know what that means?  

Less talk, more action

Louie Vallo, Pangasinan: For me, it really has no significance, but just a show or gimmickry that our so-called environmentalists exploit for their own agenda. It’s not that I don’t care or have no concern for our Earth and our environment, but why shout to high heavens that you are an advocate for the protection of Earth when simple everyday simple activities that contribute to lessening of trash, carbon emissions, etc. is just fine?  

The Earth is our home

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: It means that every human being must do a good turn for the Earth on this day. And our actions must be sustained for the rest of the year. The Earth is the only home we have. We lose it and we’re doomed.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: People the world over should realize by now that the Earth is the only home we’ve got. We should love, protect, clean and preserve it.  

For future generations

Felix Ramento, USA: World Earth Day is a reminder to save our environment for the benefit and appreciation of tomorrow’s generations.  

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: The circumstance is akin to a life-and-death scenario. It’s a vital aspect that we need to look at closely. It means now, tomorrow and forever in terms of our fate. Now, because we see and feel the damaging effect of nature today and World Earth Day serves as an eyeopener. Tomorrow, because we have new generations to protect in the future. If we don’t care now, it is as if we kill future lives on Earth. Forever, because if we care about nature, nature will love us in turn. It’s an everlasting cycle.  

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: The Earth is sick, and we all feel the effects. World Earth Day reminds us that we should take care of our environment, not only for now, but for future generations. This is the only planet we have. Let’s not waste it.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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