On Sunday, people all over the world got together to do something that could help address climate change.
Spearheaded by 350.org, an international campaign organized by U.S. author Bill McKibben, the mission of the Global Work Party was to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis and create a new sense of urgency for our planet.
Mariana Islands Nature Alliance chairwoman Fran Castro, who was among those who led the CNMI participation in the global campaign, said the idea was to help people keep in mind that 350 parts per million in the earth’s atmosphere is CO2’s safe level for humanity. Exceeding that number is no longer safe as it gradually changes the climate and causes disaster in any part of the world, she said.
Right now, the CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere is 392 parts per million, “which means we have exceeded the safe level big time,” Castro said.
She noted the increasing temperature in Asia, the fast melting sea ice in the Arctic and the record rainfalls in Latin America.
Communities all over the world, no matter how small, are contributing to the worldwide campaign to raise awareness about climate change and urge world leaders to act, according to Sam Sablan, executive director of MINA.
“People need to be mindful that everything they do can adversely affect the environment. Even small things contribute,” Sablan said in an interview during the distribution of young trees in front of the MINA office on Beach Road, Sunday.
“A lot of people think that the Saipan lagoon can always protect us from a tsunami. The lagoon won’t help us if global warming creates tsunami strong enough to hit our island,” Castro said.
As of 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Castro, Sablan with the help of NMI Micronesia Challenge champions David Sablan and Charisse Rivera, and MINA board member Frank Eliptico had already distributed 250 young trees and 100 vouchers worth $10 each that people could use to buy their own young trees from nurseries on island.
Trees, Castro said, reduce the CO2 in the air. That is why planting trees and not cutting them helps tame the CO2 in the atmosphere.
The young trees they gave out included different varieties of flame trees, daok, chestnut trees, cotton trees, java plant, avocado and money trees.
Some participants came as individuals and some joined as groups like the Lions Club and Mount Carmel School. Entire families also participated.
Because of the “unfortunate” cutting of trees on Saipan recently, there was a need to plant new ones, Castro said.
Aside from young trees, MINA also gave out pairs of flip-flops that people can use while walking on the beach.
This is part of MINA’s environmental campaign called, “Walk it, Don’t Drive it.”
Castro said this is the second time the CNMI participated in the Global Work Party. Last year, they held three different events: the underwater monitoring that focused on the health of coral reefs; the distribution of reusable grocery bags in different stores; and the 350 human chain at Mount Carmel Cathedral.
“I think people should make a difference in their own ways for the sake of the environment. Every act counts and planting trees can help,” Castro said.
Castro and Sablan would like to thank NMI Forester Vic Guerrero for committing the government’s plant nursery; Capt. Carl Brachear and his wife Lian for donating flame trees; Ron and Herminia Fusco for also donating flame trees; and Felix Sablan for donating palms.
