In 1993, the United Nations declared 15 May as the annual International Day of Families. Recognising the family as the basic unit of society, the UN sought to raise awareness of its key role in enabling social progress and development. The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Families and Climate Action’. How can you celebrate while on holiday at Annabelle? Given this year’s theme, your family would do well to spend some time in nature. Take a dip in the sea, for example, and remind yourselves how precious this natural resource is; you can also observe efforts to conserve marine life in the Mediterranean. Go for a hike through the Avakas Gorge in the Akamas National Park to discover species endemic to Cyprus and to appreciate efforts underway to protect them from extinction. Enjoy a meal at seaside taverna Mediterraneo, which uses only locally sourced seasonal produce, and consider the benefits of sustainable agricultural practices. Climate change is an intergenerational problem, as the younger members of the family are set to inherit a rise in global temperatures caused by the carbon emissions of the older generation. The International Day of Families is a good opportunity to discuss these issues in the family and identify concrete measures to address them. While the problem of climate change can be overwhelming, simple actions like increasing recycling, starting a home vegetable garden, or supporting wildlife conservation can have a positive impact in avoiding environmental destruction. All the family can help create a sustainable climate for the future.
