Invest In our Planet Earth
AJIT SINGH - CHEMISTRY EDUCATOR , TEACHER
It is horrifying that we have to fight with our own trash/waste to protect the environment & the green planet –The Earth. For the first time in 3.8 billion years that life has existed on Earth, one species-humanity has altered the physical, biological & chemical features of the Green planet. Humans blame one & another for its alteration but no one steps up to clear the environmental issues. Neither the policies of Government nor the citizens. Presently, the status of earth is such that people want to settle on another planet. The variety & variability of life on the earth is on extinction due to drastic climatic changes. There is an immediate need to support earth and protect the environment, for this aim to fulfill Earth Day is celebrated annually on 22nd of April since 1970. This year 2022 –we are celebrating 52nd anniversary of world Earth Day with Theme 2022- Invest in Our planet.
In 1969 at UNESCO conference in San Francisco , Peace activities John MCconnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace , to be observed on March 21, 1970, the longest day of Northern hemisphere . A month later, US Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed the idea to hold a nationwide environment teach-In on April 22, 1970. He hired a young activist, Denis Hayes to be the national coordinator. Nelson & Hayes re-named the event “Earth Day”. All this was after one of the incident –The famous 1969 Santa Barbara oil Spill, California – a well drilled by Union Oil Platform A off the coast of Santa Barbara, blew out. More than 3 million gallons of oil spewed, killing nearly about 10,000 species below sea. In reaction to this Oil Spill, protests held for regulation of environment laws or policies, Earth day. Today, Earth day is widely recognized by more than a billion people & more than 199 countries.
A similar case witnessed in Bhopal , India popularly known as Bhopal gas Tragedy- 1984 wherein the leakage of poisonous gas (methyl Isocynate) results in death of atleast 4000 people & thousands suffering from disease or medical conditions.
Due to climatic changes – Parkland Vegetation in tropical grassland are on extinction. Everyday there is drastic diminishing of water resources, burning forests, extinction of wildlife etc. All this is because of one species- that is species of Human- with brains of self interest and no use for protection of environmental degradation.
Steps to recover & regenerate a earth includes various plans, acts, conventions /protocol from time to time and their results are slow and agenda will be covered after long run but if humans contribute then they are not so far and the dream of clean & clear environment will be soon achieved.
Theme 2022 _Invest in Our planet is contribution of each & every individual, society, district, state & country to invest in number of ways and reduce the waste burden from earth. Now, you are thinking it is monetary only , No it can be non-monetary also. Here is the ways of contribution for an individual to invest in our planet :-
1) Take first step towards ending plastic pollution – If you use reusable textile bag it can reduce pollution created by 600 polythene bags in just one month. Tell the administration to ban single use plastic
2) Support organic ingredients
3) Encourage use of reusable utensils, dishes & trays
4) Use solar energy, switch off laptop/Tv/Fan & other electronic gadgets when not in use.
5) Save & grow trees – stand against deforestation
6) Organize a community cleanup
7) Pick up trash while you run & walk
8) Compost
9) Go pesticide free –use bio-organic pesticide
10) Eat less meat & Join awareness programs.
