The State of Our Environment
Whether it is the air we breathe, the land we use, or the water we drink, we tend to take the resources of Planet
Earth for granted. Yet, we rely on those resources for myriad aspects of our present and future well-being. Take forests,
as an example. Trees supply us with wood, food, and new medicines; they deter soil erosion and the loss of ground water; they
shelter birds that keep pests in check; they help to temper extremes of climate and to provide healthy air.
Just as we humans depend on planet Earth, each part of the ecosystem depends on the other. This interrelatedness is clearly
evident when things go wrong. For instance, pollution of the atmosphere not only harms people's health, it also may contribute
to global warming and deterioration of the planet's protective ozone layer. And, when converted to acid rain, it destroys
forests and kills lakes, endangering the food chain.
Awareness of threats to the environments has grown markedly, and so has readiness to act on those treats. Since the late
1980s, the nations of the world have signed landmark global conventions aimed at promoting sustainable development, preserving
biodiversity, and halting climate change and the depletion of the ozone layer. Much needs to be done to turn documents into
actions, but important steps have been taken.
- The year 1998 was the warmest year on record, accelerating a warming trend with possible
long-term consequences.
- The year 1998 was history's worst for natural disasters, with extensive loss of life and the unprecedented desplacement
of 300 million people worldwide.
- The Earth has lost more than 30 percent of its nonrenewable natural resources since 1970.
Rotary's Preserve Planet Earth Program
Improving the environment has been central to Rotary service from the organization's earliest days. Spurred by the example
of Rotary founder Paul Harris, who stopped to plant many a tree during his world travels, Rotarians have planted millions
of trees, created parks large and small, and carried out recycling activities in communities all over the globe. In 1990,
Rotary International adopted the program Preserve Planet Earth. The program has four goals:
- Focus attention of all Rotarians on taking action to protect and preserve the planet;
- Increase the number of environmental service projects undertaken by Rotary clubs;
- Promote awareness among Rotarians and Rotary clubs of environmental issues; and
- Foster the image of Rotary clubs as dedicated to Preserving Planet Earth.
Part of the popularity of Preserve Planet Earth is the opportunity it affords for hands-on service, with easily recognizable
benefits. Appealing "greening" initiatives like these are by no means our role response to the planet's environmental
woes. Embracing the concept of sustainable development - the idea that we should use resources no faster than they
can be replaced - we have taken the lead in showing that "green" strength of the Preserve Planet Earth program is Rotary's
Internationality. Saving the environment has been the goal of numerous RI conferences and International Service projects.
Take the environmental challenges and opportunities for our next generations:
- Using the land wisely
- Reducing and disposing of waste
- Ensuring safe water and sanitation
- Clearing the air
- Preserving biodiversity and habitats
Preserving Biodiversity and Habitats
Earth has more than 100 million species, but they are vanishing fast. Scientists estimate that between 150 and 200
species of life become extinct every 24 hours. Some 34 precent of all fish species are at risk, because of pollution and overfishing,
with major long-term implications for world hunger. The world's natural forest cover declined by about 10 percent from 1970
to 1995, an area equivalent in size to England and Wales, contributing to pollution and robbing future generations of
irreplacable sources of medicines. Preserving biodiversity requires a halt to the many practices that treaten species,
including the large-scale clearing and burning of forests, destruction of coral reefs, over-harvesting of plants and animals,
the discharge of inadequately treated wastes, and settlement on wetlands. It also entails a close examination of the
effects of urbanization, tourism, industrial developmet, coastal developments, the damming of rivers, and certain fishing
and farming methods.
In the quest for sustainability, it is our actions in our communities that will be most effective in Preserving Planet
Earth. In our communities, we define the kind of society we want to live in, we determine the changes we will be willing to
make in order to achiev that society, and we set examples which may inspire others. Take action and create environmentally
friendly communities now.
Project AWARE (Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility & Education)
Project AWARE is a corporate environmental educational program of
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) worldwide. As the world's largest recreational diving training and retailing
organization, PADI recognizes its responsibility to preserve the aquatic environment. Project AWARE serves as a rallying point
for PADI's almost 100,000 Members and over 4000 Dive Centers/Resorts worldwide. Through awareness, responsibility and education,
PADI believes that divers can make a difference.
The Project AWARE Foundation is the dive industry's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the
aquatic environment. It intend to teach the world about the importance and responsibility of preserving the aquatic environment
by developing and disseminating educational materials, creating public awareness campaigns, promoting and organizing industry
efforts at a "grass roots" level, providing direct financial support for worthwhile endeavors, creating innovative projects
and building alliances and partnerships with other organizations to strengthen the common goals.
Rotary Marine Conservation Project & Project AWARE 2004
Rotaract Club of Johor Bahru is always a great supporter to the preserve planet earth idea. The Club had undertaken the
Project AWARE for consecutive four years to clean-up the beach and underwater. Project AWARE 2004, jointly organised by Rotaract
Club of Johor Bahru, Rotary Club of Johor Bahru Central, Provisional Rotaract Club of Johor Bahru Central, and International
Fellowship of Rotarian Scuba Divers, is aimed to promote awareness and education campaign to divers and non-divers
to protect our environment.
