April 22 is Earth Day, a day on which events are held around the world to increase awareness and appreciation of our planet's natural environment.
We are faced with environmental challenges on a daily basis as some fight to create a clean and healthy environment while others pollute and degrade the fragile environment that humans and wildlife depend upon to survive.
It is anticipated that more than six million Canadians will join about a billion people in more than 170 countries to participate in Earth Day projects, events and activities to address local environmental issues. No doubt, there are will be numerous activities in the Tri-Cities for adults and children to celebrate Earth Day.
But even prior to April 22, you might want to visit your local library and take advantage of the numerous amazing DVDs that feature our planet.
Our Planet Earth, a package of four DVDs and one audio CD, features as hots award-winning actor Richard Kiley, who takes the viewer on a breathtaking journey to "the centre of geological truth" - to our planet's past, present and future. Stunning location footage of the ocean's depths and undersea tornadoes will keep you spellbound.
The BBC's five-DVD set Planet Earth is the ultimate portrait of our planet, featuring impossible locations and intimate moments with Earth's best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures. To produce Planet Earth, the creators had an unprecedented production budget, used high-definition photography and revolutionary ultra-high speed cameras. Planet Earth took five years to complete, with more than 2,000 days in the field and 40 camera operators across 200 locations. This is a must-see.
An Inconvenient Truth is a compelling view of the future of our planet. Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore presents a convincing message that global warming is a real and present danger. Gore's message of action calls to each of us to play a part on a daily basis in saving our planet.
To celebrate Earth Day, visit your local library and take advantage of DVDs on Earth's amazing wildlife, including endangered animals and sea creatures such as sharks, dolphins and whales.
A Good Read is a column by Tri-City librarians that is published every Wednesday. Teresa Rehman is community services librarian at Coquitlam Public Library.
SUZUKI MOVIE FOR EARTH DAY
To celebrate Earth Day, Coquitlam Public Library will be showing Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie on Tuesday, April 23, from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. at the Poirier branch; the film will be followed by a discussion. This National Film Board production is not in the library's collection as yet so please make use of this opportunity to view a brilliant movie. It shows David Suzuki, the 74-year-old Canadian scientist, educator, broadcaster and activist delivering a lecture interwoven with scenes of his life and lifetime, major social, scientific, cultural and political events of his past. This movie had personal significance for me. I have lived all my adult life in Canada but as I look back and remember my childhood years in Fiji, I remember how the islanders are so connected to the Earth, in the same way that Suzuki is.
- Teresa Rehman
