Caring for the environment is a noble habit that we can all develop in order to have a positive impact in our lives and in the place we live in. People who show interest in their surroundings manifest a character of being more concerned about the future generation and of the world we share.

Saint Louis University is at the forefront of this advocacy as she once again joins the global community in the campaign to care for our environment. April 22, Sunday, marks the worldwide celebration of Earth Day 2012 with its international themes “Mobilize the Earth” and “Earth Day Everyday Everywhere.” In addition, SLU’s observance will include “A Billion Acts of Green” and “Plastic Free Everyday Everywhere.”

The Louisian Environmental Management and Audit Committee, chaired by School of Natural Sciences dean Dr. Gaudelia Reyes, spearheads the holding of various activities in its three college campuses. LEMAC is a composite group formed by the SLU administration from among the various schools, offices and student organizations. Its overall aim is to develop and increase the awareness of the SLU community about the urgent need to protect and conserve the environment.

As in previous observances and in her desire to reach out and benefit as many of her students and employees as possible, SLU will spread out the observance until May.

The celebration kicks-off at the Bonifacio main campus with a program and exhibit on April 18 to 25, then the activity will move to the Gonzaga campus along Gen. Luna Street on April 26 to 29, and finally to the Maryheights campus in Bakakeng on May 2 to 9 where a program will formally close this year’s observance.

The exhibits will enable the SLU community to view the latest environmental videos, recycled products/plastics and materials, environmental slogans, visual information about renewable, sustainable and clean energy, biodiversity, advocacy about non-use of plastics, and posters from PATLEPAM.

To further strengthen the environmental advocacy and to instill viewer participation in the exhibit areas, LEMAC will include again ‘A Billion Acts of Green’ pledge boards in the exhibit areas to give the students an opportunity to write their individual pledges about simple things and tasks that they can do for the environment.

An environmental forum for Louisians is also being planned by student organizations where multi-sectoral panelists will be invited to discuss the current and major environmental issues in Baguio.

Intermission numbers will spice up the opening program featuring “Humakbang Ka,” “Agos,” and “Iligtas mo ang Balili” which are award-winning environmental songs composed by SLU faculty and students. These entries won in songwriting tilts under LEMAC’s 2011 search for the SLU Environmental Song and the 2012 Balili River System Revitalization Coalition song/jingle writing contest.

LEMAC will finally have its own logo when the winner of the logo designing contest done last year will be announced and awarded her prize.

LEMAC implements activities in close coordination with all the schools (formerly called colleges), NSTP, SLU Libraries, Special Services Department, student organizations such as the Supreme Student Council, Ecolodians of SLU, Air and Waste Management Association and the BIO Club.

The celebration of Earth Day started in the early 1970s with 20 million people demanding for cleaner and more sustainable environment. It is celebrated now by billions of people in more than 175 nations.

We can expect many great things when the majority of the people come to realize that the resources and environment we misuse today are only borrowed from our grandchildren in the future.