University Marks Special Days With Cleanup at Foreshore
The University of the South Pacific (USP) marked World Environment Day and Oceans Day yesterday by cleaning up the university foreshore in Suva. They also used this time to encourage awareness and action for the protection of our environment during the pandemic. European Union Ambassador Sujiro Seam and teen activist AnnMary Raduva joined USP Vice-Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia and senior staff from the university’s Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development and students for the cleanup.
Professor Ahluwalia said World Environment Day was the opportunity for everyone to realise their responsibility to care for the Earth and to become agents of change.
“Recent events, from bushfires in Brazil, the United States, and Australia to locust infestations across East Africa – and now, a global disease pandemic – demonstrate the interdependence of humans and the web of life, in which they exist,” he said.
Professor Ahluwalia said the university was also there to reflect on how the ocean connect us all on International Oceans Day.
“The university’s researchers and institutions work hard to understand ocean environments and we will help and support to create a sustainable future and to celebrate the many forms of life that the ocean supports.”
He said USP also celebrates their leading scientists, academics, researchers and the contributions from our students in understanding our oceans.
“Today (yesterday) we are also joined by teen climate activists and international eco-hero champion AnnMary Raduva and her young supporters,” he said. Professor Ahluwalia also said the world needed more people to echo their collective efforts to protect the environment and oceans.
“It is very encouraging to know that the climate change postgraduate students are leading with the ‘walk the talk’ responsibility,” he said.