US Embassy and Univeristy of Nizwa mark Earth Day 2012

April 24, 2012

The Embassy of the United States of America in Muscat, in collaboration with University of Nizwa, hosted a panel discussion on “Growing up Green” to mark the 42nd Anniversary of Earth Day.  The session highlighted the successful cooperation between the U.S. and Omani government organizations, universities, and civil society groups that focus on environmental issue.   The event featured three expert speakers, representing the Environmental Society of Oman, the Clean-Up Oman Group, and the U.S. Embassy.  In his presentation, Salim Al Amri of the Environmental Society of Oman described the importance of consolidating efforts to encourage communities to become better stewards of the planet. Nasser Al-Kindi of Clean-Up Oman emphasized the role of local community, and opened the audience’s eyes to the dangers of pollution.  U.S. Embassy Environmental Officer Mr. Damon Goforth praised the successful measures taken by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs in Oman to protect the natural heritage and wildlife in unique areas such as the turtle population in Ras Al Hadd and Ras Al Jinz.  “The U.S. is very fortunate to have excellent partners in Oman like the Ministry of Environment, the Royal Coast Guard, and civil society organizations,” said Mr. Goforth. 

Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 to mark the anniversary of the birth of the modern U.S. environmental movement in 1970. Former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin founded Earth Day to insert environmental issues into the national agenda, which eventually led to establishment of the United States Environmental Protection Agency as well as passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.