Happy Earth Day! Today is an important opportunity to reflect and act on the need to protect and enrich our collective home — earth. 

This year, Earth Day is particularly important, as the leaders of 160 countries will be coming together in New York to sign the COP21 Agreement that was adopted in Paris on December 12, 2015. According to the UN, never before have so many countries been present on the first day of an agreement. 

Canada was an important player in leading the way toward an agreement at COP21. This global agreement is a good starting place, but we must ensure that we follow through with effective solutions to meet our climate obligations. 

The financial and environmental costs of climate change are rapidly growing, and we need to take decisive action to ensure that we meet and even exceed the goals that were laid out in Paris. Working collectively, we have the ability to make great change. 

Earth Day is a reminder that as citizens we must take personal action on climate change and demand that the government implement policies to meet our climate responsibilities. 

The GPO is committed to conserving the land and water that sustain us now and for future generations. We will continue to push for stronger protection of our natural resources, a fair carbon pricing system, and a cleaner, renewable energy future for Ontario. And we will continue to work with communities to protect the people and places we love.

Together, we can make Earth Day every day.