Happy Earth Day 2008

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

The History of Earth Day

Earth Day Events Around the World for 2008

Saipan's Earth Day Event

In celebration of Earth Day and the National Park Week and of course, the Year of the Reef, CoCo is hosting a FREE movie showing at Saipan's only movie house - American Memorial Park Theater. If you have not yet seen "An Inconvenient Truth" take advantage now.

“An Inconvenient Truth” will be shown on
1. Mon, April 21 at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
2. Tues, April 22, 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
3. Wed, April 23, 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
4. Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

This from
Climate change is caused by the ever increasing presence of climate changing gases in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide. These gases are released from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil in the transport and energy sectors. Climate changing gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing impacts like sea level rise and changing weather patterns.
While pacific islands, together, contribute less than 1% of global climate change causing gases, we are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The Mariana Islands, like most Pacific islands, the people, agricultural land, tourist resorts and infrastructure (including roads and airports) are concentrated in the coastal zones, and are thus especially vulnerable to any rise in sea level.

Climate Change will shift rainfall patterns causing prolonged droughts in some regions. Computer models predict that global warming will shift rainfall patterns, resulting in extended drought conditions in some areas, and excessive rainfall in others.

Each El Niño event has resulted in water shortages and drought in Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, American Samoa, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati and Fiji. More frequent El Niño events also bring an increased risk of tropical cyclones, particularly for Tuvalu, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and French Polynesia.

Just because the Marianas Islands is not included in the list above, does not mean we are not vulnerable to changes in typhoon seasons, water shortages and drought.

On Earth day visit American Memorial Park and watch the Inconvenient Truth.

For more visit Climate Change in the South Pacific.

Another good read from today's Tribune is from Jaime R. Vergara. He takes a look at the big picture!