Earth Day 2022: Investing in the Environment
Across the world, today is being celebrated as World Earth Day; and in Belize City, the Ministry of Blue Economy staged a replanting exercise with its partners in Buttonwood Bay, across from its offices in front of the Belize sign. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Digging holes and getting their hands dirty as sea grape, coco plum and mangroves were planted at Seashore Park in Buttonwood Bay – the Ministry of Blue Economy along with its partners and stakeholders celebrated Earth Day 2022. C.E.O. Kennedy Carrillo speaks of the symbolic event and that the community needs to assist with its preservation.
Kennedy Carrillo
Kennedy Carrillo, C.E.O., Ministry of Blue Economy
“It’s a celebration for us as a ministry. But most importantly, it’s a celebration for us to be able to get the message out to our Belizean people – the importance of the mangrove. As we learn about mangroves more and more, we recognize that we would not be able to breathe if we did not have mangroves. Mangroves really are the lungs of the earth and without mangroves— if we continue to not take care of them— we could end up in a situation whereby we would be able to see ourselves as an extinct population because we cannot live without what the mangroves bring to us. And, not only the mangroves, the barrier reef that marine biodiversity that contributes to the ecosystem, to the protection from climate change, it’s very important for us to have a day like today where we can bring all our partners. Really, this isn’t a Ministry of Blue Economy initiative. It’s an initiative of partnership. We have this park here where we are very proud is a representation of what the Ministry of Blue Economy is.”
The initiative saw cooperation from Mayor Bernard Wagner of the Belize City Council as well as private sector and community members. General Manager Andrew Roe of RF&G says that with financing from public and private sector parties today’s event was made possible. He is hopeful that it can be replicated in other areas where coastal erosion is taking place.
Andrew Roe
Andrew Roe, General Manager, RF&G
“We are replanting mangroves and other trees such as sea-grapes, coco plums, zericote, things that grow right here in our backyards. And, we’re putting them here along the seashore with that idea that eventually, once it grows and matures, it will serve as a buffer for storms, for wave actions, and hopefully, help us fight these impacts of climate change that we’re going to be living through for the next few years.”
Duane Moody
“So, it’s more like a community initiative, a partnering of all these different agencies?”
Andrew Roe
“Exactly! It’s a big partnership that really worked out well. Everybody kind of had their own expertise. I think the motto for Earth Day this year is “Investing in Our Environment.” This certainly is an investment.”
Miss Earth 2021 Destiny Wagner also got into the mix and planted some mangroves. She says that every day should be earth day and an opportunity to learn more about the environment and what they can do to protect it.
Destiny Wagner
Destiny Wagner, Miss Earth 2021
“Every Day is Earth Day, absolutely. But today is a very special day. Today we raise our voices and come together and participate in initiatives like this to advocate for our planet and to promote conservation. One thing that we do have in common is our planet and this is our home. So, it doesn’t matter where you come from. When we work together, we can protect our planet and use our voices to speak up for it.”
Kennedy Carrillo
“How do we take advantage of our blue resources and spaces in a manner that we can grow the domestic product of our country, provide livelihoods opportunities, but still preserving what we call our ‘wealth untold’? Because we don’t even know yet the true value of what we own as Belizean people.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
