V.K Magotra
We are celebrating the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day all over the planet with special emphasis on “the face of climate change”. Mother earth provides us food, shelter and other supporting substances like water, air, sunlight etc,. In return it expects its children to take care of their environment which is vital for supporting all forms of life. The theme of the day has been chosen keeping in view the effects of climate change on the earth. With tremendous rise in population and consequent depletion of resources on land, ocean is viewed as the last frontier reservoir of resources for both living and non living. In water resources oceans, ice-caps and glaciers constitute 99.3% of World’s water supply. Hence the importance of water, its conservation & its judicious use has become necessary. Earth is also known as blue planet because it is only the planet which has water. Earth, the home to mankind , is the fifth biggest planet in the solar system, its uniqueness lies in its habitability. A favourable distance from the sun neither too close nor too far gives to it the right kind of temperature for sustaining life. It also boasts of a gravitational pull that binds the atmosphere and hydrosphere, making life possible on earth.
Earth Day marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. The Earth Day 1970 capitalized on the emerging consciousness channeling the energy of the anti war protest movement and putting environmental concerns front and center. In 1990 , Earth Day went global , mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting environmental issues onto the world stage. Earth Day 1990 gave a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide and helped save the way for the 1992 united nation earth summit in Rio De Janerio. Much like 1970, Earth Day 2010 came at a time of great challenge for the environmental community.
Modern theories on formation of the Earth and other planets are of course based on the Copernican theory. The age of Earth was a matter of speculation till very recent times. It was only 200 years ago, that the scientific enquirers were started by geologist. According to their deductions, based on the study of rocks, the age of the Earth is 4.6 billion years. Our knowledge of the internal Earth Day age of the internal structure of the earth is derived Earth Day from the studies of earthquakes. The shock waves sent out by an earthquake indicate the physical nature of the regions through which they pass. These studies show that the centre of the earth is a solid core- the inner core. The movement of earth has an important bearing on its constituents.The earth rotates around its axis. The axis is an imaginary line passing through the centre of earth. The earth completes one rotation in 24 hours and rotates from west to east. It revolves in its elliptical orbit around the sun. One revolution is complete Earth Day in 3651/4 days, resulting in one extra day every fourth year which is called as ‘leap year’ having 29 days in the month of February.
Thus the EARTH DAY is a launching pad for growing the environmental movement and will put forth a bold declaration demanding immediate action to secure renewable energy for all and sustainable future for our planet. The people from all walks of life, from all corners of the earth should be mobilized to put an end to fossil fuel subsidies, embrace renewable energy technology, improve energy efficiency and make energy universally accessible. All-out efforts are being made around the world by maintaining area wise special campaigns for environmental actions and seeking global referendum demanding change in climate .Today, a clarion call has been given to local leaders around the world to lead the campaign by addressing the impact of climate change and other environmental challenge facing their communities through degradation of Environment and other relevant issues. By way of holding various mass communication activities, the leaders will convey their ideas and opinions on environmental issues and share best practices to mankind to learn about ongoing initiatives and provide input on current sustainability plans Educating the youth and to capture the attention of students, teachers, parents and communities to promote environmental literacy and aware the people about importance of individual actions that reduce the world’s carbon footprint would go a long way in making the Earth- a peaceful abode to live
The fight for a clean environment continues in a climate of increasing urgency. The people’s participation with projection of more victories & successes into history would discover many unhidden treasures of energy. Let us all resolve and channelize our energy in building a clean, healthy diverse world for generations to come.
Like other part, of the world India, too has emerged as decisive environmental, Social, economic and political power. The day is attracting the attention of partners to build/to mobilize the society including leadership for protection of environment. The Earth Day Network India’s director Karuna Singh has over 20 years experience and is engaged with stockholders of the world to give relief to the inhabitants from hazards of all kinds of pollutions of carbon emission and promotion including sustainability of ‘New’ Global environment movement. To commemorate the Mother Earth Day all communities are engaged in mass tree planting and preserving the flora and fauna. Indian women who make 85% consumers choices are being roped in to promote GO GREEN and ORGANIC concepts the beginning of which has been made from Kolkata.
To sum up in Indian context, a tree is a beautiful expression of mother earth’s creativity. It has Shakti. It restores balance in the environment by it positive force. The PIPAL tree is sacred to Hindus and Buddhist. The Buddha attained NIRVANA under this tree. In the Bhagavad Gita Krishna said” I am as strong as the Pipal among trees”. The Puranas exalt the tree in economic terms as wealth as a great asset to mankind.
Tree worship link us with the Nature Spirit. Nature in all its moods and manifestations represents harmony and joy. Let us take pledge to pay obeisance to Earth with humility and help mankind in nourishment of all creatures on the planet Earth on this solemn day.
(The writer is former Media officer of the Ministry of I&B, Government of India).
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