Virus protocols limit scope of this year’s Earth Day

Annual event on April 22 is celebrated by a billion people in more than 190 countries

By Annette Chrysostomou

The theme of this year’s Earth Day, marked on Thursday, April 22, is Restore our Earth, and focuses on reducing our environmental footprint and fixing the damage we’ve already done.

This year Earth Day coincides with a US-led summit on April 22-23 where Washington will seek to restore its credibility on climate change, but away from the spotlight of that event, what is being done in Cyprus this year to get that message across?

Possibilities are limited, as events aimed at bringing people together to raise awareness and facilitate change are hampered by Coronavirus protocols, NGOs say.

Demonstrations can still take place though, with people keeping their distance from each other and wearing masks.

Thus, the Green Party will be able to go ahead with two protests marking the day, deputy head of the party Efi Xanthou said. Ahead of the plenary session of the parliament on Thursday morning a protest, starting at 9.30am, will be staged at the Philoxenia conference centre where the parliament now assembles.

“We will meet to remind people of all the environmental proposals which were rejected during the past five years, and those which are pending in parliament and haven’t yet been discussed in plenary sessions,” Xanthou explained.

Another protest by the party has been scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 5pm at the Pedieos linear park in Nicosia.

Authorities are planning to start roadworks on two bridges, playing havoc with the pedestrian and cycling lanes of the park used by so many residents, the deputy head said.

“We are protesting against this for both environmental and cultural reasons.”

Other gatherings are more problematic.

“In previous years we have organised events,” Efrosyni Antoniou said on behalf of Friends of the Earth. “In 2019 we organised an event together with the Cyprus Institute where we presented a platform which was developed for extreme phenomena such as floods. It took place in our yard and attracted a lot of people. This year we will only add posts on social media to raise awareness.”

Friends of the Earth have lately launched some online events, but not as many as before, she noted.

“We don’t always plan these anymore, because of Covid people have really become tired of online events.”

Let’s Make Cyprus Green is another group keen on hosting environmental events. In 2019, marking Earth Day, the NGO held the ‘Love the Earth Festival’ at the Molos seaside which brought together a large number of people.

“Unfortunately we had to postpone it this year because of the virus,” director of the environmental group Eleni Kazelas told the Cyprus Mail. “We definitely hope to be able to carry it out next year but it is a big public event and this year we can only do something small.”

The Limassol-based group will strictly adhere to coronavirus protocols.

“We will follow the guidelines and do something symbolic. Over the weekend, when we don’t work, just some members, about 10 people, will cycle from the marina to our water station.”

On a more positive note, the Love the Earth Festival is on the cards for next year, together with upcycling workshops, flower planting, games for children, demonstrations and talks, healthy food and drinks and environmentally friendly products scheduled for Saturday, April 23, 2022 – and 243 people have already announced on Facebook they will be going.

Earth Day is an international event celebrated around the world on April 22 to pledge support for environmental protection. The year 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of the annual celebrations.

It has grown into the world’s biggest civic event, celebrated by a billion people in more than 190 countries, according to Earth Day Network.

Earth Day Network announced is also not going for big events with lots of people meeting in person this year. It is holding one three-day event, from April 20 until 22, with virtual workshops, panel discussions and special performances.

For more info see https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2021/