Rosemarie D. Embile
WHEN I first set foot on Saipan, it was to be with my husband. Little did I know this island would become such a meaningful part of my life, becoming a part of me in ways I never imagined.
What began as a personal chapter soon became a calling — to teach, learn from my students, and write my first children’s book. Saipan didn’t just welcome me — it gave me a purpose I didn’t know I was searching for.
This year’s Earth Day theme, Our Power, Our Planet, couldn’t be more relevant here on Saipan. It’s a reminder that the strength of this place isn’t just in its natural beauty — but in its people, traditions, and the way we care for what we’ve been given.
On this island, Our Power, Our Planet is a call to action: to honor the reefs that feed us, the coastlines that hold our memories, and the shared future we’re all responsible for. It’s more than saving the planet — it’s about staying rooted in who we are.
Though I didn’t grow up here, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the island’s significance to its residents. It’s not just a home; it’s heritage, identity, and belonging. This is why safeguarding Saipan is essential.
Before moving here, I didn’t fully understand the urgency of climate change. But now, I see its impact more clearly each year. I hear stories of how things used to be. I see families at the beach, children joyfully splashing in the waves, savoring every moment in the ocean. Their laughter is a powerful reminder of what we must cherish and protect.
The good news is that the work is already happening. Quietly and steadily, people here are organizing clean-ups, planting trees, teaching kids how to care for their environment, and engaging in everyday acts of stewardship.
We can all help in simple ways:
• Say no to single-use plastics
• Reuse what we can
• Save energy and water
• Support local farmers and fishers
• Pick up litter, especially at the beach
• Teach children to love and protect nature
These actions may seem small, but small actions ripple wide on an island.
As we look back on Earth Day 2025, let’s remember that caring for our planet begins right where we are: at home. For now, my home is Saipan. That means protecting its beauty, uplifting its people, and giving back to the island that inspired me.
About the author
The author first came to Saipan to be with her husband, not knowing that the island would quietly transform her life. Surrounded by the beauty of the ocean and the warmth of the community, she found inspiration not just in nature, but in the hearts of the children she now teaches. Her love for the island even inspired her to write a children’s story, Saving Billy: A Quest for Clean Seas and Happy Turtles (available on amazonkindlebooks.com) a reflection of Saipan’s shores and the voices of her students. What began as a personal journey became a passion for teaching, writing, and giving back to the island that welcomed her with open arms.
