International Earth’s Day In Isla Mujeres

As every year since 1970, this April 22nd we will celebrate International Earth Day, a day in which millions of people around the world join forces to carry out actions to protect Mother Earth. But… Why is this day even important? Continue reading to find out:

Taking care of it means taking care of ourselves

The depletion of natural resources and the rapid degradation of the environment is a direct result of the consumption patterns that most of the 8 billion people who inhabit this planet have. We consume much more than we need, and we have little awareness of where our waste ends up. If we stop seeing them, it becomes easy for us to think that they are no longer there. But the reality is very far from this comfortable vision for the human being. All the actions that we carry out day after day have an impact and sooner or later this truth that we like to ignore comes back to haunt us. The clearest example is the tons of garbage found in our oceans. It is estimated that by the year 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea. Consciously and unconsciously we are contaminating and breaking the balance of our main source of oxygen, as well as many other vital resources, not to mention the place where life originated. In addition to damaging the ocean, we are damaging our ozone layer, cutting down our forests, polluting our fresh water, and putting more and more species at risk of extinction, every day.

What can I do about it?

A phrase that very effectively encompasses the best way to act in favor of the environment is: Think globally, act locally. If you visit Isla Mujeres please:

• Respect the seasons when eating lobster, pink conch, and some fish species is banned. This is so that the species have the opportunity to reproduce and keep their population healthy.
• Pick up the garbage that you find on your way to the beach and do not take shells with you.
• Consume local and seasonal products. Avoiding imports reduces CO2 emissions.
• Use the bicycle. In addition to helping the environment, you will get in shape and be healthier.
• Reduce your consumption of single-use plastic. Having a reusable water bottle is an excellent option to do this.
• Join the annual beach and sea clean-up. Every year on April 22nd hundreds of volunteers gather in Playa Centro and remove hundreds of kilos (sometimes thousands) from the sea bottom and the beach. It’s fun, there are ruffles, you can meet a lot of people and you’ll be doing something great for the island.

Lastly…

Of course, these practices more than a fashion or an annual tradition should be a way of life. Find out about environmental problems in your area and act to counteract them. We are in a race against time and only together can we save the planet and ourselves.