Another World Day of the Earth has come and gone. Another celebration globally. Another tradition executed. But as usual, it came and left with a pomp but whether the impact is or will be as impactful as the celebration is yet to be determined.
Earth Day was founded in 1970 as a way to increase public awareness about environmental issues. Each year on April 22, millions of people worldwide celebrate the day with rallies, clean-up events and educational programmes. The day aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote conservation efforts to protect our planet.
The theme of World Earth Day 2023 is “Invest in Our Planet”, calling for businesses to shift towards sustainable practices; a continuation of the 2022 campaign.
Without paying lip service to the 2023 theme, the following could be done to make the planet earth better.
Humanity should invest in renewables and energy efficiency which with improving energy efficiency can curb emissions, make energy more accessible, improve air quality, and preserve our planet.
Most of the energy we use is currently generated by fossil fuels, producing roughly 60% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition to contributing to planet-warming emissions, burning fossil fuels causes air pollution that can be damaging for both people and the planet. Using carbon-intensive energy sources to cook food, for example, doesn’t just harm the environment; millions of people die each year as a result of toxic smoke inhalation.
Investing in renewable energy and improving energy efficiency can curb emissions, make energy more accessible, improve air quality, and preserve our planet.
Humanity should also invest in clean transportation. From electric vehicles to zero-emissions shipping to green hydrogen as an alternative fuel, clean transportation can not only reduce pollution and improve air quality, it can also enhance access to education, health care, and economic opportunity by providing more sustainable, accessible ways for people to get to and from schools, hospitals, and jobs.
To invest in nature-based solutions — including the ocean will also do our planet a lot of good. Eating a more aquatic diet, particularly of seaweed and shellfish, can also reduce our carbon footprint.
Others are to invest in girls and women, indigenous communities and peace.