U.S. EMBASSY ORGANIZES BABYN YAR PARK CLEAN UP TO OBSERVE EARTH DAY

The U.S. Embassy will observe Earth Day by helping to clean up Babyn Yar Park (Syretskiy Hai) Thursday, April 22, at 2:00 p.m. Secondary schools No. 28, 155, 169, Kyiv International School, New Hope School, alumni of U.S. Government Exchange Programs and members/staff of the Ukrainian Land and Resource Management Center also will participate in the clean up.

On Earth Day, the United States and many other countries, including Ukraine, mark their commitment to preserve the environment for future generations. The first Earth Day, held in the United States on April 22, 1970, has been called “one of the most remarkable happenings in the history of democracy." On that day, about 20 million Americans of all ages and from all walks of life participated in Earth Day celebrations all over the country. They demonstrated their deep concern for the deterioration of our environment and the dissipation of our resources. That day left a permanent impact on the politics of the United States. It thrust the issue of environmental quality and resources conservation into the nation’s political dialogue. The first Earth Day showed the leaders of the United States that the people cared about protecting the environment and that they were ready for political action.

It is through the sustained, combined efforts of governmental institutions, businesses and civil society organizations as well as individual actions that the United States has made substantial progress in reversing the environmental degradation evident in the 1970s, while supporting the nation’s extraordinary population and economic growth. Ukraine too, has made great strides in creating a legislative framework for sustainable development.

The United States recognizes its responsibility to assist others by giving them the tools to create more favorable living conditions for their citizens while ensuring judicious care of natural resources. In Ukraine, the United States Environmental Protection Agency funds a very successful environmental capacity-building project in coordination with the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Ukraine’s Local Environmental Action Programs (LEAP) are flourishing with some receiving assistance from USAID. LEAPs build partnerships among citizens, authorities and industry to reduce local environmental threats to human health and ecology.

The United States firmly supports the expansion and diffusion of the knowledge, technologies and means to sustain earth’s vital ecosystems. This includes investment in renewable energy, clean coal technologies and the development of emission-free vehicles for use within the next ten years. Ukraine is also embracing environmental technologies. In addition, Ukraine has joined over 100 countries working through the U.S.-initiated GLOBE Program that engages students to collect data and observations about their environment. The students then share the information with scientists throughout Ukraine and around the globe, ensuring that future leaders understand how economic and environmental fates are intertwined.

On Thursday, April 22, students, teachers, diplomats, bureaucrats, young, old, Ukrainians and Americans will be working together to maintain the momentum begun on Earth Day 34 years ago. Together we will celebrate and remember that Earth Day and every day is a time to protect our planet.