World Earth Day is being celebrated today across the globe to support environmental conservation efforts. This observance with the global theme ‘Planet vs. Plastics’ spotlights the critical problem of plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on nature.
Earth Day serves as a reminder of the significance of conserving and sustaining our environment, urging individuals worldwide to unite in efforts for a healthier planet and a better tomorrow.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 22 April as International Mother Earth Day through a resolution adopted in 2009. The Day recognizes the Earth and its ecosystems as humanity’s common home and the need to protect her to enhance people’s livelihoods, counteract climate change, and stop the collapse of biodiversity.
Climate change, man-made changes to nature as well as crimes that disrupt biodiversity, such as deforestation, land-use change, intensified agriculture and livestock production or the growing illegal wildlife trade, can accelerate the speed of destruction of the planet.
Mother Earth is clearly urging a call to action – a need to shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet. Protecting the planet is everyone’s responsibility.
Further resources
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
UNEP’s work on Climate action
UNEP Executive Director briefing on UNEA-6 outcomes
