"You have to know to care for it," recalls President of the Government on World Earth Day - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, pointed out today, on World Earth Day, at a session for elementary school children, that "you have to know to care for it," encouraging them to share the lessons learned with their family and friends.

"Thank you for welcoming me so well to this school. You are attentive and respectful. It is great to be here celebrating this important day. At school, we learn the important things in our lives. And you can use these lessons to talk to your friends and family at home," emphasised José Manuel Bolieiro.

The President of the Government spoke at the Canto da Maia Basic Education School in Ponta Delgada during a session dedicated to World Earth Day.

Addressing the young students, he said: "Talk about these things. I realise you know a lot and can also teach your family and friends about sustainability, how we look after and care for our nature, and the pride we have and should have in  nature."

World Earth Day was created on April 22, 2009, by Resolution 63/278 of the United Nations General Assembly.

This day is a way of defending the preservation of the environment and finding a fair balance between economic, social and environmental needs for present and future generations. It also calls on civil society to take an active role in implementing measures to protect our planet.

Following this worldwide celebration, the Portuguese Group of ProGEO (European Association for the Conservation of Geological Heritage) decided to declare April 22 as National Geological Heritage Day.

This year, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action is promoting initiatives for the school community on all islands to mark these events, with the "Azores Volcanic Cavities" activity and the official launch of the Children's Guide, under the same title, for the 2023/24 School Environmental Awareness Activities Programme.

The Azores Volcanic Cavities Children's Guide is the third in a collection of guides produced and developed by the Azores UNESCO World Geopark, sponsored by the local action groups ARDE, ADELIAÇOR and GRATER.

The launch of this guide is intended to continue the mission of the previous two, "The Volcanoes of the Azores" (2013) and "The Rocks of the Azores" (2015), teaching and raising awareness among Azorean children about volcanology, civil protection, the formation of volcanic islands, the diversity of rocks in the Azores and how to use them.