Ranjan K Baruah
(With direct inputs from UN/WHO publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)
Whether we agree or not but the fact is that mother earth is facing challenges, and we are having a tough time ahead. Our planet is suffering as oceans are filling with plastic and turning more acidic. Extreme heat, wildfires and floods, as well as a record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season, have affected millions of people. We are yet to come out completely from the tension of the COVID pandemic.
Climate change, man-made changes to nature as well as crimes that disrupt biodiversities, such as deforestation, land-use change, intensified agriculture and livestock production or the growing illegal wildlife trade, can accelerate the speed of destruction of the planet. All these are worrying all of us as we have only one planet to live on.
Everyone has a role in climate action and to preserve the planet. It's our planet, and while we know it is in crisis, we also know that solutions are in reach. Progress is already well underway, from more green energy to more secure food supplies. And the benefits are clear as well, such as green jobs, clean air and sounder economies. A more sustainable, prosperous world is in reach. Join us in taking action to claim it, starting now.
There are many campaigns and activities around the world that raise awareness related to the environment and nature. One of the successful campaigns which have connected millions is the celebration of Earth Day. The General Assembly of the United Nations designated 22 April as International Mother Earth Day through a resolution adopted in 2009. This is the first Mother Earth Day celebrated within the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet - and its people. Restoring our damaged ecosystems will help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction. But we will only succeed if everyone plays a part.
Initially, the earth day campaign started in 1970 and the original roots go back to the 1970s when environmental protection was not yet a priority of the national political agendas. The UN Conference on the Human Environment 1972 in Stockholm marked the beginning of global awareness of the interdependence between people, other living species and our planet, as well as the establishment of World Environment Day on 5 June and the UN Environment Programme.
The United Nations celebrates this observance through the Harmony with Nature initiative, a platform for global sustainable development that celebrates annually an interactive dialogue on International Mother Earth Day. Topics include methods for promoting a holistic approach to harmony with nature, and an exchange of national experiences regarding criteria and indicators to measure sustainable development in harmony with nature.
António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations in his message said that "we have proven that together, we can tackle monumental challenges and the right to a healthy environment is gaining traction but we need to do much more and much faster especially to avert climate catastrophe." He also said that "the building blocks of happy, healthy lives — clean water, fresh air, a stable and predictable climate — are in disarray, putting the Sustainable Development Goals in jeopardy but there is still hope." "Because we have only one Mother Earth we must do everything we can to protect her", he said.
Together we have to take action and make a difference for the planet. Only newer awareness programmes will not bring solutions but action for the planet will bring tangible changes. This is the moment to change it all — the business climate, the political climate, and how we take action on climate. Now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, our livelihoods… together, we must Invest in our planet. We need to act with innovations and replicate best practices. Together we can bring positive transformation and let us take action for our planet.