22 April is celebrated as Mother Earth Day all around the world. The significance of the day lies in addressing the crisis of climate-change and pollution.
World leaders, Non-Governmental-Organizations, and other interested parties get an opportunity to discuss ways to improve the environment. They also focus on ways to make good management of the environment sustainable.
How the International Earth Day Came About
The International Earth Day was first celebrated on 22 April 1970 by EarthDay.Org, previously known as Earth Day Network. On that day, 20 million Americans protested against the climate crisis the world was experiencing, which was evident in water and air pollution.
Following the protests, the then President, Richard Nixon, signed the Clean Air Act and created the Environmental Protection Agency, abbreviated as EPA.
The Day’s Theme
The theme for the International Earth Day varies every year. This year, the theme for the day happened to be “Planet Vs Plastics”.
The World Wildlife Fund reports that over 380 million tons of plastics are produced every year across the globe.
Consequently, EarthDay.Org has committed itself to reducing that level of plastic production by 2040. The organization has given itself a target of 60% plastic reduction by the end of the next 16 years.
How to Go About Reducing Plastics
The focus to reduce plastic damage begins with spreading of public awareness. The public needs to be sensitized about the impact of plastic waste. Then follows lobbying for policies that aim to bring down the use of plastics.
The other point of focus is investment in innovative technologies, whose results negate the need for plastic use.
The International Earth Day aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, otherwise termed the SDGs, in particular SDG-13 and SDG-15. These two refer to Climate Action and Life on Land respectively.
The two SDGs are geared towards taking immediate action to mitigate climate-related emergencies, and protecting the ecosystem.
The importance of the SDGs and Earth Day in general is recognized all over the world, and Google Doodle affirmed this on April 22nd. Google used a logo that was relevant to the conservation of the environment. It displayed earth’s natural features, such as trees, in their natural habitat.
Such a display is a boost to environmental activism. It also serves as a reminder that it is important to maintain the planet green for future generations.
How Different Countries Celebrated Earth Day
Each year, on 22 April, environmental enthusiasts take to the streets to highlight various events. In the US, the events organized in different states included the 2024 Ark River Clean-Up. It was anticipated that this event would attract 2,000,000 volunteers.
In China, there was the “Ecological Civilization” that is part of the constitution. The event focuses on enhancement of green life. This means focusing on the country’s environmental policies, laws, and education, in so far as sustenance of the environment is concerned.
On the same day, a lecture on ecology and Eco philosophy was set to be delivered at Xi’an Jiao tong University. The focus of that lecture was to highlight the importance of a green environment.
In Nairobi, a Kangemi-Westlands initiative to clean the Nairobi River was scheduled for the day. The event was meant to have waste removed from Nairobi River, leaving it clean as had been intended by the late Minister for Environment, Honorable John Michuki.
Earth Day Successes
The commemoration of the World’s Earth Day has borne fruit. For example, in the US, the EPA has managed to highlight the most dangerous chemicals used in the manufacture of plastic items.
Also, the IEA has noted an increase in the production of solar power. This is significant because this increase surpasses the investment in oil exploration and production.
The International Earth Day has brought about great improvements in the environment, and continues to give hope of a better world. The Institute of Sustainability Studies has highlighted many of the day’s major successes, in an article published on April 13th 2024.
In Nairobi, prior to the Earth Day, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) had issued an environment related directive to 29 manufacturing companies. NEMA demanded in January that the companies undertake the cleaning of Nairobi River.
Those companies received the directive after NEMA established that their products played a major role in polluting the river.