Over the next week leading up to Earth Day on Sunday, April 22, we will have a series of stories from around the world about what people are doing to celebrate Earth Day. Today’s stories are about Iraq and Jamaica!
Iraq
His Excellency Dr. Barham Salih, Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government, planting a tree in honor of Earth Day (Photo credit: Earth Day Network).
In Iraq, the provincial government in Kurdistan is mobilizing to plant five million trees for Earth Day 2012. Other important Iraqi government agencies have participated, such as the Agency of Protection and Improvement of the Environment, the Ministry of Municipalities, and the Ministry of Education. And Earth Day Network partner “Together” has already planted 400 trees in honor of Earth Day 2012 in Salah Al-Din Province.
“We’re proud to be joining so many people all over the world who are taking action for Earth Day 2012. By planting these trees, we’re improving the environment of Kurdistan and the surrounding communities, but we also hope to set an example for the rest of Iraq, the region and the world.” – His Excellency Dr. Barham Salih, Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government.
Jamaica
The Jamaica Environment Trust—based in Kingston, Jamaica—is mobilizing for Earth Day by hosting a day of festivities to mark the completion of its “Building Appreciation for Nature in Children at Risk” project. The project seeks to expose children from inner-city communities to the natural world. Since the project started in October of 2010, 150 children from Cockburn Pen, Olympic Gardens and Drewslnd in Kingston have participated.
The event will feature environmentally-themed games, arts and crafts, and educational activities. There will be a concert held during lunch, as well as an opportunity for the children to showcase the artwork that they’ve created throughout the project.
“As a voice for Jamaica’s natural resources, JET has always found Earth Day to be a great opportunity to spark public interest in our environmental programmes. Earth Day allows us to promote different aspects of the important environmental education work JET is doing, giving Jamaicans, particularly our young people, a cause to rally around and an opportunity to learn more about the environment in which we live.” – Suzanne Stanley, Programme Director, Jamaica Environment Trust
Children in Kingston, Jamaica, participating in a “Building Appreciation for Nature in Children at Risk” event in the run up to Earth Day.
*These events are two of thousands being held around the world for Earth Day 2012. To find or start a local event and learn how you can get involved in Mobilize the Earth™, go to www.earthday.org/2012.
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The Homerus Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio homerus/Pterourus homerus) has been on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) endangered species list since 1988. It is reputed to be the largest swallowtail butterfly in the Americas with a wingspan of six inches. It can be found in wet limestone forests and lower montane rain forests. The adults are active throughout the daytime, feeding intermittently on the nectar of various flowers, and basking on the foliage of trees and bushes. The larvae seem to feast on only one genus of plants, Hernandia.