Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1365202
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 APRIL 2021 OPINION Gwendolyn "Wendy" Green is U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Wendy Green AS we celebrate the 51st anni- versary of Earth Day, I reflect on the palpable lesson Mother Earth has imparted to us during the COVID-19 pandemic: nature does not need human beings, but human beings undoubtedly need nature – its clean air, clean wa- ter, and healthy foods – to sur- vive. Yet, at the same time, we also need good jobs and a solid economy to flourish, particularly as we begin to recover from the economic impacts of COVID. As we face this paradox, it has never been more important for us to find the right balance between economic growth and environ- mental stewardship – ensuring the sustainable longevity of our Mother Earth and our humanity. Right now back in Washington D.C., the U.S. government is la- ser-focused on limiting or elim- inating the ravages of climate change by encouraging sustain- able business practices. Across the United States, governments and businesses alike have com- mitted to creating good-paying jobs and an equitable clean ener- gy future, while building modern and sustainable infrastructure, restoring scientific integrity, and implementing evidence-based policymaking. In places like my home state of Texas, sustainable practices that benefit both the environ- ment and the economy are be- coming the cornerstone of busi- ness development. Texas, like Malta, is blessed with sunshine and is the fifth-largest produc- er of solar power in the United States. However, Texas' most effective sustainable practice is wind energy, with Texas leading the nation in wind-generated power with more than 30 per- cent of U.S. electricity coming from wind. The Texas Sustain- able Energy Research Institute partners with the community to research and contribute to a "new energy future," focused on carbon capture and reutilisation, energy conservation, and solar panel integration. These initia- tives, and others like them, are examples of how that delicate balance between economic and sustainable development can be achieved. They are environmen- tally responsible and create jobs in green infrastructure, while also significantly reduce energy bills for businesses and citizens. That's a win-win situation. On the international front, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry promised "the United States will partner with nations to solve the climate crisis" and pass on the Earth in better shape for future genera- tions. To do so, we must part- ner with countries around the world to limit the planet's global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The United States is already working with international or- ganisations, civil society, and governments to support policies and programmes that conserve and restore forests; promote sustainable agriculture and fish- eries; stop illegal logging, min- ing, and fishing; and combat wildlife trafficking and marine plastic pollution. These policies and programmes help preserve our planet's natural beauty and provide economic benefits for our children and future genera- tions. More and more American students are earning degrees in environmental science because they are interested in improving the environment and attracted to the jobs in the green-tech sec- tor in the United States. Here in Malta, we support ef- forts to green Malta's economy. Together with the Ministry for Energy, Enterprise, and Sus- tainable Development, we re- cently organised a programme that addressed emerging ener- gy technologies and intelligent solutions that will reduce Mal- ta's dependency on fossil fuels and promote clean energy al- ternatives, significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, and maximise the use of indigenous resources. Malta's renewable en- ergy strategy will create jobs in sectors such as research, solar and wind farm technologies, and waste-to-energy installations. Our work to promote sustain- able practices in Malta is a pri- ority and something we embrace every day at the U.S. Embassy. My colleagues and I are proud that our own embassy is a LEED Silver certified "green" building. It incorporates the latest strat- egies for sustainable site devel- opment, water conservation, energy savings, materials selec- tion, and indoor environmental quality to combine environmen- tally-sound practices with eco- nomic efficiency. In this way, our greening initiatives compli- ment Malta's commitment to a sustainable economic model. On Earth Day, we also cele- brate the 26th birthday of the Global Learning and Observa- tion to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) and our fourteen-year partnership with the Ministry of Education and the University of Malta's Center for Environmen- tal Education and Research in the GLOBE Malta programme. GLOBE is a worldwide interna- tional science programme that prepares students for careers in Science, Technology, Engineer- ing and Mathematics (STEM) fields, which are a major source of modern, sustainable econom- ic growth. GLOBE repeatedly recognised Maltese and Gozitan students as top contributors of quality scientific data and anal- ysis. Just recently, GLOBE se- lected a student from Gozo to be one of 12 international GLOBE student vloggers – congratu- lations Hannah Vella! Hannah will join other GLOBE Student Vloggers to document their in- itiatives to safeguard the envi- ronment and raise awareness among their peers. During the 2021 Malta Sustain- ability Forum, President George Vella praised businesses that are embracing Corporate Social Re- sponsibility that focuses on sus- tainability. The U.S. Embassy rec- ognised a number of U.S. firms in Malta for leading the way on sustainability programmes and for improving the environment of their workers, their customers, and communities. Among them is Baxter, which received the U.S. Ambassador's Award for Envi- ronmental Excellence in recogni- tion of its initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. Climate change is perhaps the greatest threat we face in the 21st century and we must face this existential challenge with urgency and with commitment. Our governments must foster local economies that are viable, innovative, and embrace tech- nologies and practices that en- courage sustainability. And we can't wait any longer. Together we must restore our earth. Time to restore the earth through sustainable business practices Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry promised "the United States will partner with nations to solve the climate crisis"