Jamwal Mahadeep Singh
The most neglected as
pect that needs more attention today is the environment. For centuries together mankind have been dependent on environment for survival and having been making best use of it for sustenance but now it is a realization that we have been making worst use of it rather than best use of it. Once human requiring environment for its survival now needs human approach for its sustenance. The advancement towards better life has its foundation laid on destruction and over-consumption of our natural resources like water, natural minerals, and forests; even we have not spared the sea basis. Our industrialization that has brought the country on a developmental horizon is a largest contributor towards water and environment pollution, the net effect is the gradual heating of Earth's atmosphere and surface, a process known as global warming as a result of greenhouse gases (collection of natural and man-made substances including water vapor, Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and other gases) being added to the environment in every second is contributing in shortening the life cycle in human.
Deforestation in any form that may be deliberate, natural or accidental, cause climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and a host of problems for indigenous people. 70% of Earth's land animals and plants live in forests and many cannot survive the deforestation that destroys their homes. The nutrient pollution in the water produce toxins that poison aquatic organisms and impact the health conditions of aquatic life such as seabirds, fish, sea turtles and aquatic mammals, like dolphins, manatees and sea lions etc.
One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken - Leo Tolstoy. The Earth is an incredibly complex and vibrant ecosystem, where living organisms interacts with each other and their environment to create the ideal conditions for life. The environment around us carries the food, habitat, water, and other necessities for survival of living species. But there is a carrying capacity that can sustain the environment. Overconsumption is a situation where resource use has outpaced the sustainable capacity of the ecosystem. We have realized that the consequences of our actions and the impact they are having on our world and our survivability as a species. A prolonged pattern of over-consumption leads to environmental degradation and the eventual loss of resource bases. Here we are supposed to conserve natural resources and the existing natural environment and, where possible, to repair damage and reverse trends. We are required to aware and awaken the one and all towards the environmental protection, a practice of protecting the natural environment by individuals, organizations and governments is the dire need of the hour. The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.
With these intentions in mind, we come cross an annual event that is celebrated worldwide as 'Earth Day' on 22nd April, taking its flight from 1970 now an event that takes place in 195 countries coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network. Realizing the need of the climate protection, in 2015, 195 nations adopted 'Climate Protection Treaty' during 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. The 'Earth Day' traces its foundation by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970 influenced by the idea of San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell to honoring the Earth and the concept of peace. Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on the environmental issues that the world faces. Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface; now it's only 6% and experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years. Experts estimate we are losing 137 plants, animal and insect species every single day. There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need, but not for man's greed - Mahatma Gandhi. Thanks to succeeding Earth Days, people have become more aware of the role that the environment plays in helping sustain life in this fragile world of ours and that we need to take an active role in protecting it. "The Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations"- John Paul II. Anything to help our environment is a perfect thing to do on Earth Day and every day. Earth Day is once a year, but these lifestyle changes could be beneficial for the other 364 days, as well as years to come. Number of events is seen as part of celebration of Earth Day but the best Earth Day events are those that extend beyond the day itself and encourage meaningful changes over a longer period of time. Earth Day is important. It educates us about what we have and what we are losing by acting in ways that aren't environmentally friendly or energy efficient. Earth Day reminds us that we need to take action now to protect our environment before it's too late. We have to focus on the issues that require attention of one and all, compelling to observe this day as moral duty towards mankind in preserving the environment. Everyone as true human being worried about the next generation has to join the fight and to do what is right, towards green earth and towards clean earth not as an annual feature but as a daily routine by stopping and keeping away From Pollution. Concluding the biggest lesson from the Earth Day emerges as to make small changes that add up to making a big difference by making commitment towards earth-friendly acts, making more sustainable choices, to reduce carbon footprint, conserve energy and resources, collaborate on environmental projects and to channelize our efforts and energies towards those working towards protecting us as well as environment with a message of plant a tree for us and for next generation, it is an investment for humankind and humanity, by saving earth means we are saving our self and our next generation, we protect earth today for our children's tomorrow, promote the urge for reuse and recycle. This all should be directed towards think green and keep clean. When we come together, the impact can be monumental. Earth Day Network is asking governments, businesses, and individuals to End Plastic Pollution. Plastic pollution is not only impacting our waters and marine life, but also the food chain and our overall health. Earth Day is important. It educates us about what we have and what we are losing by acting in ways that aren't environmentally friendly or energy efficient. Earth Day reminds us that we need to take action now to protect our environment before it's too late. We have to act today and not to wait when the last tree has died, the last river has been poisoned, and the last fish has been caught only when, will realize that we cannot eat money? |
