Remarks by Ambassador Carol Rodley at Earth Day Event

U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh April 24, 2010

H.E. Senior Minister Mok Mareth, Minister of Environment,
Representative from the Dept. of Education Youth and Sport
Students, Teachers, Civil Society Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am happy to see so many of you here today to join us at the Embassy to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.

As some of you may know, Earth Day was started in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, who wanted to organize a grassroots movement to show U.S. leaders that there was broad public interest in environmental issues. 

When he initiated the idea, not even Senator Nelson realized how far this idea would be carried - more than twenty million Americans participated in the first Earth Day alone.  

Today, Earth Day is observed in countries around the world and is an important opportunity to pause and think about the natural environment that feeds us and sustains us. 

Earth Day is a reminder that all of our actions can have consequences on the environment, and since we depend on the natural environment to live, we need to try to preserve it. 

And so we are here to celebrate and acknowledge the importance of the earth's natural resources, including its forests, its rivers, and its wildlife.

And I can think of no better place to celebrate the environment than in Cambodia. 

Cambodia is a very lucky country – unlike many places in the world, where natural resources like forests and wildlife are dwindling or disappearing, Cambodia still has incredibly rich biodiversity and ecosystems. 

Cambodia is fortunate to still have large, untouched forested areas and free-flowing rivers that serve as habitats for endangered wildlife species.

Siamese crocodiles, Asian elephants, tigers, freshwater dolphins – Cambodia has it all! 

However, as in any place that is developing as rapidly as Cambodia, these precious resources often come under threat. 

Finding a balance between development activities that lift the population out of poverty and preservation of irreplaceable resources can seem like an impossible task. 

But finding a balance is possible, as we can see from the efforts of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the dedicated organizations that have joined us to celebrate today. 

I hope that all of you have had an opportunity to visit the various booths and learn about the important work being done in the environmental sector. 

And while the work that these organizations do is crucial, it is not their responsibility alone – it is also yours. 

All of Cambodia's amazing and wonderful resources belong to the Cambodian people, including all of you. 
 
They are a precious asset, like a family heirloom, to be preserved and protected for future generations.

I encourage all of you to think about things you can do to be good stewards of your nation's resources: 

Talk to your family, friends and neighbors about the importance of conservation. 

Think before you throw trash on the ground. 

Consider ways you can work with the organizations you see here today to have an impact. 

We at the U.S. Embassy are proud to work with Cambodia on environmental conservation. 

Thank you for your participation today.  It is now my honor to invite His Excellency Dr. Mok Mareth, Senior Minister and Minister of the Environment to say a few words.