(CNN Philippines) — As the Philippines joins the global celebration of Earth Day on Wednesday (April 22), Environment Secretary Ramon Paje urged the public to pause and reflect on the most pressing ecological problems hounding the world today — and what each Filipino can do to protect the environment.
He said the public should not solely rely on the government to take care of the environment, rather they, too, must do their part.
“Earth Day is about celebrating the environment and raising awareness of environmental challenges and what we can do about them,” Paje said. “We should never get tired of reminding the public that taking care of the environment is not the sole responsibility of the government.”
Over one billion people in 192 countries will celebrate today’s 45th anniversary of Earth Day under the theme “It’s our turn to lead.”
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Touted as the world’s biggest grassroots movement, this year’s Earth Day event promises to be one of the most exciting years in environmental history with world leaders expected to gather in Paris, France, at the end of the year in an attempt to forge a new global climate deal.
