Earth Day 2022 – Invest in Our Planet

Today we lend our voice to the global commemoration of Earth Day intending to invoke our collective responsibility to care for our planet and in fulfillment of an obligation to future generations.

Earth Day was first recognized worldwide in 1990. As we celebrate Earth Day in 2022, we are faced with “a triple crisis – climate change, biodiversity loss & pollution” as highlighted by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN which “is threatening the survival of millions of people worldwide”.

Mounting evidence suggests that several unsavory trends are set to continue – global temperature and sea level rise; loss of important habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs and terrestrial forests and most notably diminished quality of life for millions of our global friends and neighbours. This is the case because we have not been able to drastically change behaviors that contribute to these impacts. This is not to say that we have not made some progress in trying to address these issues; on many fronts, very important strides have been made to reduce pollution; secure and value natural habitats and create greater awareness.

However, it is clear that in order to reverse these adverse conditions significantly, more action is required. Hence, we focus on this year’s theme ‘Invest in Our Planet’- this is a universal call to invest more time, energy, resources and passion to improve what we all hold in common- our planet.   Regenerative and sustainable development of the Earth is only possible if everyone plays a part in the collaborative effort for our planet.

Since 2016, the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund has been poised and committed to the long-term conservation, restoration and effective management of Saint Lucia’s biodiversity and natural resources by securing and providing sustainable financing which is then invested in national.  We consistently work in partnership with public sector agencies, schools, NGOs, private corporations, and community-based organizations who aspire to undertake local actions that can have a global impact.  We are proud to say that between 2020 and now will be on track to contributing direct funding through grants totaling approximately XCD450,000 to local groups and agencies. In addition, we are also making investments that would strengthen the ability of local communities to use resources in a more sustainable way and at the same time securing health, life and livelihoods.  It would be remiss of us not to recognise our partners and donors whose contributions to the SLUNCF make it possible to invest in our local communities, these include the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association, Massy Stores (St Lucia) Ltd, the Inter- American Foundation and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

We, therefore, urge all citizens, local and global, to invest more- plant more trees, use more environmentally friendly materials; speak more about sustainable practices; volunteer more time to local activities organized to reverse pollution and stay more connected.

For more information on how we do what we do, please visit www.sluncf.org and you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Let’s all invest more in our planet!