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Environment Reflections - Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Didier Dogley’s message on Earth day |22 April 2015

‘Change our lifestyle to save the Earth’

Today is Earth Day and according to Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Didier Dogley we can save the Earth by changing our lifestyles.
The minister’s message reads:

“We are all regularly being reminded of the dire strait our planet Earth is in and of the need for governments and businesses to adopt a more inclusive and greener approach to development. What we are not told is that we all can make a difference by taking decisive actions to change our lifestyle and to shift away from a consumer driven society, which is at the epicenter of the current deterioration of the health our planet.   

“Forty years ago, the Earth Day Network (EDN), a non-profit organisation founded by organisers of the first Earth Day in 1970, mobilised ordinary people in the United States of America to contribute towards activities that will improve the quality of their environment. Today, the movement is global and over a billion people from all walks of life have already pledged activities, which will contribute towards improving their environment throughout the world.
 
The theme for Earth Day 2015 is ‘It’s our turn to lead’. The organisers are inviting everyone to pledge an activity that will contribute towards greening or “bluing” the planet.

“In Seychelles, the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change will join forces with the Public Utilities Corporation, the Seychelles Energy Commission and the private sector to showcase through an exhibition at the Camion Hall, energy and water saving technologies and methodologies.  Using these two resources wisely is critical in reducing our carbon footprint and minimising wastage of these vital resources. It is well-known that through applying energy efficiency techniques, alone, in our homes and businesses, we can reduce our energy consumption by up to 30% and thereby make considerable financial savings.

“Similarly, today there are sanitary devices and appliances which considerably use much less water than their older versions and these are readily available here in Seychelles. These also can help in reducing the amount of water consumed by up to 30%. If these are combined with rainwater harvesting, the savings can be greatly increased.

Should these two sectors not fall within someone’s plans and range of activities, there are many other choices one can make to lower his/her carbon footprint or raise awareness among their peers on a particular issue. Sustainable consumption and production involves the decoupling of economic growth from the degradation of the environment, covers many sectors and requires actions worldwide. These range from the consumption of sustainably produced goods, the promotion and use of biodegradable and recyclable materials to the adoption of sustainable production system in various industries.

“Let this Earth Day be your beginning or renewal and pledge your action on the Earth Day webpage and make a difference at the individual, community or national level.”

 

 

 

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