編譯：吳培瑜，審校、編輯：瞿涵
地球日從1970年創立以來走過46個年頭，成長為當今世上最大的非宗教性活動之一。地球日旨在鼓勵人們為所關注的環境議題挺身而出，教育下一代感知周遭環境的變化並採取行動，為自己所處的社群創造永續的未來。
【世界】
《巴黎氣候協議》在歷史性的儀式中簽署
171國領袖聚集在聯合國紐約總部，共同簽署了歷史性的《巴黎氣候協議》，標誌全球對抗氣候變遷的新里程碑。此份協議期望降低全球溫室氣體排放量，並幫助所有簽署國建立一個永續的未來。
【美洲】
一人一樹
聖克里斯多福與尼維斯（St. Kitts and Nevis）在今年地球日踏出大膽的一步。這個位於加勒比海、住有5萬5000人的國家，領先全球，率先響應了地球日網絡的「Trees for the Earth」活動：在未來五年內，聖克里斯多福與尼維斯將為境內每一位國民種下一棵樹。聖國也為學生規劃環境課程，為這些未來的地球照顧者做準備。
宏都拉斯紀念卡賽蕾斯
在宏都拉斯科爾特斯港，許多人在地球日當天參與了植樹及相關活動，以紀念該國蘭卡族（Lenca）
環保人士博塔•卡賽蕾斯（Berta Cáceres）。在去年三月遭到謀殺的卡賽蕾斯是獲得環保金人獎（Goldman Environment Prize）的環境與土地捍衛者，也是反對宏國阿瓜札卡（Agua Zarca）興建的原住民反對活動共同發起人。在地球日當天，除了發放刺桐樹種子給參與者，也介紹卡賽蕾斯的成就，以及樹木之於宏都拉斯水循環的重要性。在這個鼓勵民眾為環境挺身而出的日子，讓我們一起來紀念這位勇於捍衛環境與土地的女士。卡賽蕾斯萬歲！
樹立城市「綠」標竿
美國邁阿密市長Tomás Pedro Regalado宣誓認真看待氣候變遷，要將邁阿密打造為綠色城市。市長宣布，2050年邁阿密將100%使用再生能源。作為地球上最熱的城市之一，我們希望邁阿密的行動能啟發更多城市的加入。
【大洋洲】
吉里巴斯提升韌性
氣候變遷所帶來的災害，首當其衝的就是散佈在各大洋上的島嶼，而島國吉里巴斯的人們正用盡一切力量保衛他們的家園。該國響應「Trees for the Earth」，種樹保護在地的生態系。紅樹林對吉里巴斯十分重要，因為它們可以在鹽水裡生長，增加魚的數量，更能穩固海岸線，免於受到太平洋海平面升高的進一步侵蝕。
【亞洲】
學生們的綠色中國
中國是目前世界最大的碳排放國，中國的大學生決定針對這情況採取行動。北京的大學宣導回收及植樹，每位實踐回收的學生，會收到樹的種子作為回報。與此同時，一群熱心的健行者在地球日當天上午，清掃遊客們在長城周圍留下的垃圾。這些活動除了提醒我們別將人造廢棄物留在自然裡，也告訴我們：改變需要每個人的力量才能完成。
地球日舞動越南
由1000名舞者、學生及當地聽障協會成員組成的快閃舞蹈表演，在越南胡志明市吸引民眾的目光。今年越南地球日將活動聚焦在水源保留的議題上，除了別出心裁的快閃舞演出，約2000名民眾參加一場特別的環保障礙賽。這場障礙賽結合許多與水相關的活動，期望參與者在跨越障礙抵達終點的同時，能體會水資源保留的必要性及挑戰。
印度騎向綠色地球
在印度卡納塔克邦的班加羅爾，一群自行車騎士展開一場喚起環境意識的接力活動，超過2000名騎士參與慶祝遊行。這場接力將會經過卡納塔克邦境內的所有區域，預計在6月5日世界環境日當天回到班加羅爾。除了自行車接力，也將響應地球日網絡今年的「Trees for the Earth」活動，在邦內的各區種下約6萬棵的樹苗。
巴林婦女傳播教育的力量
巴林的女性團體正在規劃一項提升環境意識的長期活動，期望藉由提升民眾的環境意識改善女性的社會處境，而對社區環境基本意識的評估將揭開這項活動的序幕。女性是經常被邊緣化的族群，但同時也必須擔負起家庭與自然資源管理的責任。氣候變遷讓女性的工作變得更困難、責任更沈重，也間接增加女性公共衛生及性暴力的風險。
【歐洲】
東歐大掃除
在過去七年，「Let's Do It」這個從愛沙尼亞開始的活動已累積1380萬人參與，在各地進行大掃除。2016年地球日當天，希臘、克羅埃西亞、匈牙利、拉脫維亞、烏克蘭及立陶宛等國，在東歐進行了大規模的環境掃除，各國約4％至10%的人口參與，並在地圖上標誌每樣撿起的垃圾。
摩洛哥的皇室綠色承諾
作為2016年第22屆聯合國氣候變化綱要公約締約國大會（COP22）主辦國，摩洛哥派出Lalla Hasnaa公主代表簽署《巴黎氣候協議》，積極表達其欲延續巴黎COP21的成果，也展現摩洛哥對建立永續未來願景的堅定決心。Lalla Hasnaa公主為該國穆罕默德六世環境保護基金會（Mohammed VI Foundation for Environment Protection）的主席，是一位活躍的環境運動份子，在四月稍早，她也與聯合國教科文組織（UNESCO）簽訂了一份永續發展教育的協定。
【非洲】
東非植樹活動
地球日網絡在四月初發起募款活動，計畫募集五萬美金並在東非種下五萬棵樹。感謝所有積極協助的慷慨捐款者，地球日網絡募得超過八萬美金，是原先目標的160%！看來東非接下來可有得忙了！
【資料來源】
Earth Day was bigger and bolder than ever before. It’s the largest secular event in the world. That’s the power of a contagious people’s movement that returns each year. This year World leaders united in New York City to sign the Paris Agreement- a landmark achievement in the fight against climate change. They deserve to be congratulated, but they didn’t reach this point without continuous pressure and support from civil society.
Earth Day is people standing up for an environmental problem they are passionate about. It’s creating learning experiences in schools so that our next generation will be environmentally informed, global citizens. It’s recognizing an opportunity for your community to become more sustainable. Small green acts add up. Mobilizing people creates change. Earth Day is being engaged, being responsible, and being part of a movement.
Let’s recognize 10 stand out events that happened around the World to mark Earth Day. May they resonate and motivate you to act as well:
- One islander, one tree. Down in the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis made a bold move and committed to planting a tree for each of its citizens this Earth Day. A nation of 55,000 people, they are taking Earth Day Network’s Trees for the Earth goal head on and will plant 55,000 trees over the next five years. And they’re not stopping there – all students will receive a climate change lesson, helping prepare the next generation of Earth caretakers.
- India pedals towards a greener Earth. Cyclists in India are kicking off an environmental awareness rally in Bangaluru, Kranataka. A celebratory parade had over 20,000 environmentalist cyclists. The rally will come full circle after visiting each district in the state of Karnataka and returning to Bangaluru on World Environment Day in June. In addition to their cycling awareness campaign, they will be contributing to the #Trees4Earth campaign by planting 60,000 tree saplings in public spaces at all of the district headquarters.
- Morocco is [royally] committed to fighting climate change. The hosts of COP22 in Fall 2016, they demonstrated their sincere commitment to a sustainable future by sending Princess Lalla Hasnaa to sign the Paris Agreement. Following a successful COP21 in Paris, this is a positive indication that Morocco will pick up where France left off. Her royal highness is a champion of environmental causes herself. As Chairwoman of Mohammed VI Foundation for Environment Protection, she recently made an agreement with UNESCO for sustainable development education earlier this month.
- Students for a greener China. China is the world’s top carbon emitter. University students there have taken note and are stepping into environmentalist shoes. Universities in Beijing are spreading awareness about recycling and helping plant trees. Students will now receive seeds in return for their recyclables. It takes a contribution from each of us to make a difference. Meanwhile, at the nearby Great Wall, a group of dedicated hikers spent the morning picking up waste that litters the beautiful and historic landscape. The amount of waste left behind by sightseers is a reminder that we must not leave behind an unnatural trail.
- Vietnam gets in rhythm with Earth Day. A flash mob dance performance grabs attention. In Ho Chi Minh City a creatively choreographed flash mob had 1,000 dancers. Young students and hearing-impaired members of the local Deaf Community Organization (source: http://bit.ly/1VxuOHd) were among the dedicated participants. The theme of their Earth Day celebration was water conservation. They didn’t stop there – 2,000 people then were part of a ‘Green Run’ that was cleverly designed to represent the necessity and challenges of water conservation. Water activities were part of the race course and runners had to break through physical barriers in order to finish.
- Setting the bar high for cities. Mayor Tomás Pedro Regalado is helping make Miami green. His Earth Day proclamation set Miami apart as an American city that is taking climate change seriously. Mayor Regalado announced that Miami will be going 100% renewable energy by 2050. As one of the hottest cities on the map, we hope their action will inspire others to follow suit.
- A clean sweep in Europe. The “Let’s Do It” campaign is making headway in cleaning up the world. The movement started in Estonia and has engaged 13.8 million people over the past 7 years. In celebration of Earth Day 2016 Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Latvia, Ukraine, and Lithuania held massive cleanups across Eastern Europe. 4-10% of their populations helped pick up trash after mapping it first.
- Honduras Remembers Berta Cáceres. In Puerto Cortes, Honduras, dozens of people took part in a tree planting and educational event on Earth Day in the memory of the Lenca activist Berta Cáceres. Coral Tree seedlings will be given out and those organizing the event will describe who Berta was, as well as the important role trees play in the hydrological cycle in Honduras. Berta Cáceres was an indigenous Goldman Environmental Prize-winning environment and land defender who was assassinated last March. She co-founded an indigenous people’s campaign against the Agua Zarca dam. Earth Day is the perfect day to remember and be inspired by the memory of someone such as her. ¡Viva Berta!
- Bahrani women spread the power of education. A women’s group in Bahrain is planning an environmental awareness campaign that will live past April 22nd. A community assessment to determine baseline awareness will launch the campaign. Women are a marginalized population and often bear the responsibility of managing domestic and natural resources. Climate change makes this responsibility harder and indirectly adds serious problems including public health and sexual assault into the picture.
- Kiribati builds its resilience. Islands feel the devastating effects of climate change first. As Kiribati falls victim to climate change, we are reminded that one of the most urgent issues of our day is access to fresh water. Kiribati islanders are working as hard as possible to protect their home. They have responded to the #Trees4Earth call for action campaign by planting trees that will benefit their native ecosystems. Mangroves are essential for Kiribati as they can thrive in salinized water, boost fish populations, and ultimately help stabilize the coastline and prevent further erosion from rising Pacific seas.
- See more at: http://www.earthday.org/2016/04/29/10-great-events-earthday2016/#sthash.SfNSo2GX.dpuf
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