Belize Observes Earth Day 2024 with Focus on Plastic Pollution

Yesterday was Earth Day, an annual event geared towards supporting environmental protection. The day highlights a specific environmental issue each year, the 2024 theme being “Planet vs. Plastics.” Various organizations in Belize held activities in observation of Earth Day, including the Orange Walk-based volunteer group Eco Hearts. The group partnered with the Orange Walk Town Council to hold an outreach activity for students at the Orange Walk Central Park. The group gathered seven schools at the primary and high school levels for the unveiling of a special billboard and to listen to speeches on environmental issues. Joesie Cantun, the Founder of Eco Hearts and a member of the Orange Walk Town Council, said that the event was aimed at promoting taking personal responsibility for protecting the environment.

Cantun said that catering the message to children was important as they will be the ones living in the world their parents leave behind.

Cantun said that Eco Hearts is working on becoming a registered NGO but is still holding community initiatives in the meantime. The group is scheduled to hold a community cleanup program in Orange Walk Town this weekend.