Everyday is Earth Day

By Roslan Sufian bin Tajul Razak

April 22, Earth Day Programme was celebrated by Sekolah Menengah Sains Kota Tinggi,
Johor . Earth Day is important to create awareness of environment protection among students
and to foster love for environment. Earth Day was created over 40 years ago in response to
new awareness of the impact of pollution on the environment.

There are many ways to help conserve and protect our environment. Instead of
polluting it, we can do simple everyday practices to help and protect the Earth. If everyone
contributed a little in our society, the world would become a better place. One of the ways
that school can do to help conserve and protect our environment is by planting trees. This
activity can be joined by teachers and students. They will plant trees around school area.
Trees give off oxygen that we need to breathe. Trees reduce the amount of storm water
runoff, which reduces erosion and pollution in our waterways and may reduce the effects of
flooding. Many species of wildlife depend of trees for habitat.

The other ways that school can do is by organising talks about the importance of
environmental protection. This talk can increase student’s awareness of environmental issues
as example oil drilling, deforestation and production of plastic goods. These issues can cause
a great deal of environmental destruction. Our dependence on fossil fuel and plastic bags are
global addiction that affects every aspect of the world including global warming, ocean
acidification and wildlife extinction.

The school also can hold cleanliness campaigns. This campaign can be done
periodically with an aim to prevent diseases by following public health measures along with
promoting public awareness towards cleanliness. Garbage can be reduced by holding this
campaign. In the light of present-day diseases like dengue, malaria and plague epidemics, this
has become a need of cleanliness programme. School also can compost food waste to reduce
the number of waste too.

From the student perspective, they can recycle old newspapers, books and magazines.
By recycling these papers, they can reduce the number of paper used per day and reduce the
production of paper goods. Furthermore, students can save water by using it appropriately
like turn off the tap when they brush their teeth. This can save six litre of water per minute.
They can also keep showers short and sweet, The more water we use and waste, the more
wastewater we discharge and stress coastal environment. Students can also use paper bags
instead of plastic bag and buy reusable products such as glass bottles, reusable bags and cups.
Avoid buying paper towels, plastic bottles and bags.

In conclusion, everyone can help improve the Earth’s condition by using tap water
instead of bottled water, being cautious when using a plastic or stainless steel bottle and
others. If everyone participated and used healthy alternatives instead of harming the Earth,
we could drastically improve the Earth’s condition and have a better environment.