World Earth Day is an annual global event held on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental conservation. It was first held on April 22, 1970, and now has a wide range of events, including one billion people in more than 193 countries, through Earthday.org. In 1969, at a UNESCO conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honour the Earth and the concept of peace, which was first proposed to be observed on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It was signed by Secretary-General U Thant at the United Nations.
A month later, United States Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed the idea of holding a nationwide environmental education day on April 22, 1970. Nelson and Hayes named the event “Earth Day.” The official theme of World Earth Day 2025 is “Our Power, Our Planet.” It focuses on the collective responsibility of switching to renewable energy and building a sustainable future. The goal is to triple the amount of renewable energy produced worldwide by 2030, with an emphasis on clean sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal.
Earth is a planet that is home to life. But it is facing many challenges. According to NASA, global warming is on the rise due to climate change, with the average surface temperature on Earth now at 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius). Air, water, soil, and noise pollution are on the rise. Biodiversity loss has increased by 73% since 1970. 10 million hectares of forest are being cleared annually. The growing human population and increasing consumption are putting enormous pressure on natural resources, leading to water scarcity, food insecurity, and habitat destruction. On the other hand, the production and disposal of plastics pollutes oceans, landfills, and ecosystems, disrupting wildlife and food chains. Since the late 1970s, ozone levels have decreased by an average of 4%. Worldwide, a significant portion of the population is experiencing water scarcity. Nearly 25% of people face water stress and scarcity. By 2025, it is estimated that two-thirds of the world’s population will face water scarcity. These problems are not only environmental, but also have social and economic consequences, which require global cooperation and sustainable solutions.
Countries around the world are implementing several summits focusing on sustainable development, climate action and global cooperation. These initiatives aim to promote international cooperation to address global challenges. The United Nations has launched several summits, a high-level event aimed at building a new international consensus on delivering a better present and securing a better future.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has launched a high-level event to reimagine education for the future to address the learning losses caused by the pandemic. The Kyoto Protocol aims to reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) helps countries to promote climate stability, achieve pollution-free futures for living in harmony with nature, and support the Sustainable Development Goals. The private sector is increasingly investing in sustainable practices, renewable energy, and civil society and non-governmental organizations play a key role in supporting environmental initiatives in raising awareness. The United Kingdom, Norway, France and New Zealand are some of the countries that have legally committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. However, the majority of countries are not interested in protecting the planet due to their political and economic implications. The Indian government has implemented various measures to protect the planet, including focusing on renewable energy, combating air pollution, promoting sustainable development, and national action on climate change.
In addition, the government has updated its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce emission intensity, including increasing targets for non-fossil fuel power generation. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), launched in 2008, outlines eight national missions, including the National Solar Mission, the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, and the National Mission for a Green India. India has updated its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to increase its commitment to non-fossil fuel generation to 50% by 2030, reduce emission intensity by 45% compared to 2005 levels, and target a carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes by 2030. India has targeted 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030, and the government has launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a comprehensive plan to address air pollution across the country.
India has taken a major step towards BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards to reduce vehicle emissions. It aims to set up compressed bio-gas (CBG) production plants. The Ministry of Power has implemented a Fly Ash Utilisation Action Plan to ensure proper utilisation of fly ash from coal-fired thermal power plants.
To effectively protect the Earth, a multi-pronged approach is required that includes individual actions, government policies and global cooperation. There are important measures such as reducing our carbon footprint, conserving resources like water and energy, promoting sustainable practices in agriculture and industries, addressing climate change through international agreements and technological advancements. Countries need to have a broad perspective in planning long-term strategies with rigorous implementation for the necessary land protection measures for this world.
