PROTECT PEOPLE AND THE PLANET

Wars are devastating whole regions around the globe. In the past decade, military spending has increased by 19 per cent. It is deplorable that the majority of casualties in the wars in Sudan, Ukraine and Gaza are civilians.

The Island Peace Committee asks Islanders to look at the relationship between escalating wars and our suffering environment. Increased military spending has a direct impact on global peace and co-operation.

Starting on Earth Day April 22 through to May 9 there will be Global Days of Action on Military Spending. IPC urgently calls on governments to: change course and focus on rapid, deep cuts to military spending, driving an arms race and fuelling war; demilitarize public policy, including policies designed to tackle the climate crisis; implement human and common security-centered policies that protect people and the planet and not the profit-driven agenda of the arms and fossil fuel industries; create governance structures and alliances based on mutual trust and understanding, co-operation and true diplomacy, where conflict is resolved through dialogue, not war.

All we are saying is “give peace a chance.” Marian White,

Island Peace Committee

Tracadie, P.E.I.

GUARDIAN FILE Signs made by P.E.I. students for an Earth Day demonstration in 2023 are lined up at Colonel Gray High School.