Extreme weather disasters, deforestation, droughts and wildfires have displaced and disrupted millions of lives across the world.
In response to Earth Day, April 22, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is encouraging communities across the US and worldwide to get involved in the #GoGreenWithADRA initiative.
The #GoGreenWithADRA effort aims to promote environmental stewardship, raise awareness of global environmental concerns, and instill a sense of responsibility in students and individuals from all backgrounds to contribute to a more sustainable planet.
“In the face of an increasingly volatile climate, the world faces unprecedented challenges to anticipate and respond to the impact of climate volatility,” ADRA’s vice president for humanitarian affairs Imad Madanat said.
This year’s Earth Day theme is “Planet vs Plastics”, drawing attention to the urgent need to address plastic pollution, which poses significant threats to marine life, groundwater, soil health and human wellbeing.
ADRA is pioneering innovative solutions to repurpose plastic waste, utilising recycled plastic bottles to construct essential infrastructure for vulnerable communities. Notably, in Mauritania, Africa, ADRA reused 34,000 plastic bottles to build a health centre and homes for marginalised groups.
“Through our wide global network of country offices, ADRA is well positioned to implement projects with communities in the most vulnerable areas, building resilience and the capacity of communities to withstand the effects of natural catastrophes,” Mr Madanat said.
“On Earth Day, we renew our commitment to both the people we serve, our planet, and creation. Our projects seek to equip the most at-risk populations to prepare and mitigate against unanticipated disasters while simultaneously protecting the environment.”
Communities are invited to participate in the #GoGreenWithADRA movement by engaging in activities such as environmental clean-ups, gardening and tree planting.
ADRA is leading the charge in implementing environmentally conscious projects worldwide. These include initiatives such as climate-smart agriculture in the Democratic Republic of Congo, promoting backyard vegetable gardens and organic farming in Fiji, establishing greenhouses in drought-prone regions of El Salvador, facilitating reforestation efforts in Madagascar, and introducing drought-resistant crops in communities facing food insecurity in Honduras and Kenya.
By sharing their projects on social media using the designated hashtag, individuals can contribute to a collective effort towards ecological preservation and sustainability.
To learn more about ADRA’s climate resilience programs and access resources to support environmental initiatives, click here.
Participate by downloading the #GoGreenWithADRA toolkit.
