Every act counts: NMI joins global Moving Planet event

 For the third year in a row, the CNMI joined global efforts to solve the climate crisis and reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere through the Moving Planet event on Sept. 24.

Moving Planet was a worldwide day to put demands for climate action into motion and go beyond fossil fuels by means of marching, biking or skating, drawing some 2,000 events in over 175 countries.

The event is part of 350.org, a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis through mass public actions and climate solutions projects in different communities around the world.

350.org campaigns for the need to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere from its current level of 392 parts per million to below 350 ppm.

On Saipan, a little over a hundred individuals clad in their walking attire or seen riding bikes gathered at the Garapan Fishing Base where the event began at 6:30am.

Participants marched or rode their bikes to the American Memorial Park where several booths gave away informational materials that educate the public about the importance of the initiative.

Shane Golingo, a freshman at the Northern Marianas College, said she was already at the Garapan Fishing Base as early as 5:30am to help her group, the Environmental Natural Resource Organization, set up for the event.

“It’s important to reduce the carbon dioxide in our planet so we should use less fossil fuel and help the environment little by little,” the 18-year-old Golingo told Saipan Tribune.

As part of efforts to sustain the environment, Saipan Grand Hotel employee Lea Belo said she and husband Reyn follow the 3R principle: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Aware of the need to lessen their carbon footprint, Belo said she and her husband would walk short distances such as going to the store.

“Walking is a healthy practice not only for oneself but also for the environment,” said the As Lito resident.

Raymond Tudela of Chalan Dandan said he was encouraged to participate in the event by daughter Christina Tudela, who is affiliated with MINA.

“We love the outdoor and the nature anyway. We love hiking so we decided to attend,” he said, adding that he would encourage family members and friends to continue doing practices that are beneficial to the environment.

Free tree saplings were also given away to Moving Planet participants for planting in their properties.

Fran Castro, Division of Environmental Quality’s Non-Point Source Pollution Program manager, said the event was a partnership between DEQ and Coastal Resources Management, drawing participation from nonprofit organizations such as Mariana Islands Nature Alliance and volunteer groups such as the National Resource Management Program at NMC.

“It shows that we really care about climate change and that we’re actually doing something about it,” Castro said about the Commonwealth’s participation.

What started as an event with hardly any participants on its first year is growing each year as more people are becoming more aware of what the number “350” is about, said Castro, adding that she expects even more participation next year.

“The more that we do to make a difference, the more it counts. Everything you do counts. Planting a tree is so simple. You could do it in your backyard. Ride your bike or even just walk. Every act counts,” said Castro.