The city government here has lined up activities in line with the observance of Earth Day on Thursday.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said Wednesday that planting and maintenance activities will be conducted at the mangrove forest in Masepla, the former transitory site, in Barangay Mampang, east of this city.

The activities will be spearheaded by the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR).

Salazar said the undertakings form part of this city’s coastal area project enhancement, specifically mangrove forest restoration of its ecological functions, such as mitigating the impact of climate change, among others.

The OCENR grows and maintains a mangrove propagules nursery in Barangay Mampang to support the coastal rehabilitation project of this city.

Earth Day, held every April 22, marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. Last year marked 50 years of Earth Day observance.

The Earth Day is an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

This year’s observance is anchored on the theme “Restore the Earth” which emphasizes that “a Clean Environment Is Essential for Healthy Living: The more you don’t care about our environment, the more it will become polluted with contaminants and toxins that have a harmful impact on our health. Air pollution can cause respiratory diseases and cancer, among other problems and diseases.”

“Restoration is imperative to fighting climate change and making the Earth a safer, healthier, and more equitable place to live. It’s time to step up. It’s time to make a change,” Salazar said. (PNA)