Earth Day: climate havoc and announcement of million-dollar US investment

He Earth day was commemorated this Monday on the American continent with a combination of activities to promote environmental conservation, confront the challenges of climate change and promote public awareness about the importance of protecting the planet, along with announcements such as the United States of an investment of US$ 7,000 million allocated to the expansion of the use of solar energy.

During a ceremony in Prince William National Park, near Washington DC, US President Joe Biden called climate change “an existential threat” and warned of the damages caused by natural disasters and extreme conditions in recent years, estimated at US$ 270,000 million.

He Earth dayan annual celebration held on April 22 in many countries around the world, was established to raise awareness about the environmental issues facing our planet and promote the protection and conservation of the environment.

The first Earth day It was held in 1970 and has since grown in importance to the point of becoming a global event with activities ranging from natural area cleanups to environmental education campaigns and conservation efforts.

The US announces million-dollar investment in solar energy

The new program announced by Bidencalled “Solar for All,” will be implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will provide grants of up to $60,000 to government entities and nonprofit organizations for the development of solar energy solutions.

It is expected that about 90,000 homes can benefit from this program, which aims to significantly reduce energy costs for low-income families.

Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed the program, highlighting its potential to reduce energy costs and create good-paying jobs. Sanders noted that while solar energy can reduce up to 80% of household electricity spending, the initial investment can be prohibitive for many families.

In addition to the solar initiative, Biden announced the launch of the “America Climate Corps,” a government program that will employ thousands of young people to address climate change.

Inspired by the “Civilian Conservation Corps” of the 1930s, this new corps will be responsible for installing solar panels, fighting forest fires and building more energy-efficient homes. Corps members will receive training, apprenticeships and access to climate change-related jobs after completing their service.

Forest fires and drought hit Honduras

Honduras commemorated the Earth day with a call to confront significant environmental challenges. The Central American country has been affected by forest fires and droughts, so stopping climate change and increasing the resilience of communities has become a priority objective.

The director of the Forest Conservation Institute, Luis Edgardo Soliz, warned of the devastating impacts of climate change in Honduras and called on developed countries to compensate poorer nations for the damage caused by their carbon emissions.

In El Salvador, the Human Rights Attorney, Raquel Caballero de Guevara, urged the Government to implement concrete measures to prevent environmental damage, especially in areas such as Lake Coatepeque, which was recently declared in an emergency situation due to pollution and other environmental problems. The official highlighted the importance of moving from reactive to preventive actions to protect ecosystems.

Meanwhile, in Puerto Rico, various activities were carried out, including tree planting, recycling workshops, and policy proposals to promote environmental conservation. Initiatives were also designed to protect manatees from personal watercraft, with special attention to education on the responsible use of these vessels in order to preserve marine life.

In Costa Rica, Earth Day was marked by high temperatures and a lack of rain, both circumstances attributed to the El Niño phenomenon.

The Central American country faces challenges in electricity generation and water management due to drought, which has led authorities to call on the population to prevent forest fires. Despite this problematic situation, Costa Rica continues to be recognized for its environmental policies and its commitment to biodiversity conservation.

In Panama, high temperatures and increases in nighttime temperatures have become an increasingly evident problem, exacerbated by the climate crisis.

The La Niña event in the second half of 2024 is expected to bring more rain, which could alleviate the situation but also carry risks such as flooding and landslides.

Finally, in Venezuela, more than 3,000 people participated in a run and walk on the occasion of Earth Day to demonstrate the population’s commitment to healthy living and environmental awareness.

The Venezuelan government also announced plans to protect the country’s last glacier, located in the Andean state of Mérida, by installing geotextile blankets to delay its melting.