United Nations (UN) officially observes International Mother Earth Day on 22nd of April each year. It is a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about combating climate change, ensuring sustainable development and increasing harmony with nature. The 1992 Rio Declaration called for the “Earth Day” to be celebrate every year in order to promote social, economic and environmental needs of present and future generations. According to Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IBPES), anthropogenic activities are pushing planet earth towards its sixth mass species extinction, which costs more than 10% of annual global gross product loss of ecosystem services.
The theme for the year ‘2020’ is “Climate Action”. The theme of 2020 International Mother Earth Day focuses on innovation, creativity and ambition for a zero carbon future. So far, only Bhutan has carbon negative economy where increase forestation and responsible consumption has led to absorption of ambient air pollution that also increased the country’s rating on Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI ranking of 2019 ranked Pakistan on 151 while Bhutan on 134 out of 189 countries surveyed.
This year’s theme calls for reporting on commitments related to ‘Paris Agreement on Climate Change’ and urgent actions on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) #13, 14 and 15 which are related to “Climate Action”, “Life below Water” and “Life on Land” respectively. SDGs focus on improving education and raising awareness about combating climate change and saving flora and fauna on both land and water.
The UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) recently reported the increase in probability of disease transfer from animals to humans every four months. UNEP strongly advocates for the increase in biodiversity to ensure a healthy survival of various species to ensure a healthy and clean environment. . It also coaxes countries to manage safe distance between animals and humans to prevent the spread of zoonotic virus such as Covid-19. The 2019’ Australian heat fires, locust invasion in Pakistan and Kenya, increase in the global warming and changing weather patterns all call for a strict and urgent action on climate change.
Pakistan’s government decision to discourage plastic usage, starting from Islamabad Capital Territory (CTI) is a step worth applauding from last year’s initiatives for a clean environment. In 2020, the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) introduced ‘Galiyat Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2020 to heavily fine tourists if they litter the scenic places of ‘Northern-Pakistan’. The Express Tribune also reported in 2020 of the increased in global exports of eco friendly Pakistani textiles.
Although, the government is taking small positive measurements and there is a long way to go, but as individuals, as a nation, we all have a responsibility too. There are small steps that we can take to make sure to live a sustainable life and to provide one for future generations, such as, tree plantation, less usage of plastic, converting food waste into compost for a in house herb garden, less usage of water and walking whenever possible instead of using a two wheeler or four wheeler vehicle.
This planet ‘Earth’ is our only home and by only making ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ the mantra of our lives, along with voting for circular economy, we can make it a better place to live every single day.
Related Article: World Earth Day: A Fight For A Change
by: Noor ul Ain
Tags: International Mother Earth Day
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