by Maja Wallengren
MEXICO CITY, April 20 (Xinhua) -- A variety of official or non-governmental groups say millions of Mexicans across the country will celebrate Earth Day on Friday with a wide range of activities.
On the day, Rosario Alvarez, program director for Mexico and part of Central America with the leading environmental group the Nature Conservancy, plan to take a break from busy city life in Mexico's bustling capital of some 20 million people and go for a picnic with her son and husband in the rural area near Chiconcuac, a small town that is about an hour's drive from Mexico City.
"Earth Day is our opportunity to highlight the marvelous services that the planet has been providing us -- clean air, water, fuel, food, and clothing. It is also a day to remember our responsibilities towards our planet because every action we take daily has an impact," Alvarez told Xinhua.
"As a mega-diverse nation, we are responsible for the protection of our natural resorts, such as the Maya Forest, the Mesoamerican Reef, the Sea of Cortez and the northern deserts," said Alvarez.
From symbolic acts such as going for a walk, riding a bicycle and switching off lights sometimes on Friday to marching through the capital, Mexicans have increasingly participated in Earth Day activities since it was first celebrated over 40 years ago, organizers say.
