Missive from Morocco

Missive from Morocco

Ashes, Airplanes and An Earth Day First

by Elizabeth Hilts

RABAT, MOROCCO, April 23, 2010

Thanks to the cloud of volcanic ash that wreaked havoc on air travel this past week, there aren’t as many international journalists in Rabat as had been expected for Morocco’s premiere Earth Day Celebration. While there is a certain delicious irony to this fact (the Earth belched and we were humbled) it’s also a shame, because this North African country has completely embraced the concept driving this worldwide “holiday”—save the planet by making changes. Big changes, small changes; they’re all happening here. Perhaps that’s because Morocco is a democratic monarchy whose ruler, King Mohammed VI, has decreed that change must occur; it must be said, however, that the citizenship has embraced the King’s call to action with great enthusiasm.

Why does this matter to the rest of the world? Bottom line: Earth Day in Morocco feels exciting in a truly organic way.

For example, in the days leading up to Earth Day, the citizens of Morocco took part in Service Day actions including planting trees and waste collection campaigns on the (extraordinary) beaches, in parks, forests and towns—a dedicated website was established so that individuals and organizations could report specific “acts of green” (www.journeedelaterre.ma).

In addition there was a steady stream of visitors through the Eco Village set up on the banks of the Bouregreg River. This river is itself something of an ecological wonder. Until recently, the river served as a kind of open sewer, unregulated by any agency, unprotected by law. A water treatment plant has cleaned up the water and the harbor is in the process of being reclaimed—the jewel of the project is a marina complex with waterside restaurants, a boardwalk and recreation facilities.

Clearly, Morocco isn’t merely putting on a show for Earth Day—the entire country has been invested in the creation of an environmentally-conscious infrastructure for years.

The new tramline being constructed will run from the city of Sale (the site of the marina) through Rabat, out to the university neighborhood, cutting down on the runaway congestion on the one bridge currently connecting the cities and allowing students and workers who live in the less-expensive neighborhoods of Sale to commute into Rabat more easily. All of which is proof that what’s good for the environment can also good for education and— because of the jobs created by the myriad environmental initiatives underway throughout Morocco—the economy.

Other nations in the region—and the press from Morocco’s European neighbors—are paying close attention. Yet it seems that there are only a few American writers (though countless camera crews) here to witness this. Again, it’s a shame, because the news here is good and there is so much going on that this ought to be covered in a major way.

ELIZABETH HILTS is a freelance writer and the author of “Getting In Touch with Your Inner Bitch.”

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