Earth Day : 50th Anniversary calls for everyday as Earth day

The world is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day today, an annual ritual to demonstrate support for environmental protection and to highlight the importance of respecting and preserving nature.

Started as a grassroots movement, Earth Day created public support for the creation of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and contributed to the passage of the Clean Air Act, the Water Quality Improvement Act, the Endangered Species Act and several other environmental laws. The idea for Earth Day was proposed by then-Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin.

In India culture and tradition venerates the earth as one’s own mother. First, acknowledging the earth as a person indicates that we are not indifferent to it but understand its needs and concerns, and accord to it the highest respect and honour, just as the mother is respected universally in all the cultures and traditions. 

As a mother nourishes the child, the earth nourishes all living beings by providing them various necessities and shelter, without discrimination and timelines. It is this thought that dawns upon us on Earth Day 2020 when the world is caught in the throes of COVID-19.

Given the magnitude of the coronavirus crisis can the world afford to pay attention to climate change right now?

Post the lockdown, not only the national capital's air quality has improved but with industries shutting down the Yamuna has also become cleaner. According to experts, sewage entering directly from residential colonies is the only source of pollution at the moment and as seen in this picture, parts of the river appeared sparkling clear.

No mining, no manufacturing, no commercial activity mean no industrial discharge. This makes for swift and thrilling facelifts in cities like Kanpur that have several polluting enterprises along the river. Of course the health of the nation needs such activities to resume, and grow even stronger than before. But that doesn’t mean we have to pollute our rivers and atmosphere  again. 

Several countries have been implementing industrial wastewater treatment strictly for half a century now and India needs to join their ranks at the soonest. It needs to protect rivers from untreated domestic sewage as well. The 34% reduction in faecal coliform reported from a Haridwar ghat in April may be on account of the paralysis of tourism, suggesting how appallingly human excreta are normally allowed to pollute the holy Ganga.

From Ganga to Cauvery parts of our major rivers have reported dramatic improvements in water quality, becoming ‘fit for drinking’ for the first time in decades.

News of animals leaving their sanctuary and walking around the localities have broadcasted by some television channels. According to one news report there has been a drop in seismic noise, the hum of vibrations on the planet's crust, due to less movement of vehicles and shutting down of factories.

With global economic activity ramping down as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it is hardly surprising that emissions of a variety of gases related to energy and transport would be reduced. Scientists say that by May, when CO2 emissions are at their peak thanks to the decomposition of leaves, the levels recorded might be the lowest since the financial crisis over a decade ago.

 It is often said that nature has its own ways of reminding humankind that it needs to preserve and respect resources. Coronavirus pandemic has triggered panic globally, forcing a majority of global population indoors.

Today we mark the EarthDay during a difficult time that is testing all of humanity. These special circumstances that the world has not witnessed in decades remind us of the importance of solidarity to protect our planet & its residents. It calls for everyday as EARTH DAY