WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING FOR EARTH DAY? - Hon. Freedom Chimereze

 

 

Earth is the fifth largest planet in the solar system and the largest of the terrestrial planets. The earth was formed approximately 4.54billion years ago and is the only known planet to support life. Earth is currently home to 10-14million species of life, including over 7.3billion humans who depend upon its biosphere and minerals.

The one thing that made Earth unique was the presence of a superb form of intelligent life called the human race. But somewhere on the way the human race lost its humanity, forgot to acknowledge the planet that gave it life and used its resources ruthlessly.

 

 

The world now marks the Earth Day to make the human race realise the importance of the Mother Earth. Earth Day is celebrated every year on the 22nd of April. In 1970, a senator from Wisconsin, USA, Gaylord Nelson first conceived of this day. The senator was worried about the rate of industrialisation and the careless attitude of everyone towards our environment. It was envisaged to promote the idea of ecology, to encourage respect for life on Earth, and highlight growing concerns about different kinds of pollution. Over 20 million Americans participated in events to mark the first Earth Day and it turned out to be so contagious that today, over a billion people from all over the globe celebrate Earth Day. But, the question arises as to why we celebrate Earth Day? It’s because we seem to have forgotten what a beautiful gift we have been given in the form of planet Earth. We also seem to have forgotten that this is our home and we need to keep it in order to stay healthy and alive.

Statistics shows that every year over 14billion pounds of garbage is thrown into the oceans. The plastic garbage kills at least 1million creatures in the ocean each year. The amount of wood and paper we throw away each year is enough to heat 50million homes for 20years.

We have to cut down on carbon emissions to reduce the effects of global warming. If not contained, global warming will make the ice-caps at the Poles to melt and raise sea levels. It can be so devastating that it will wipe us out. It is our fight to save the mankind from annihilation. But if we decide to do nothing and let things be as they are, it could just be worse. Earth might just decide to take revenge. The wrath of the planet would be even more furious. Many times we have seen it happen right in front of our eyes. What else are cyclones, flash floods, sudden fires in forests of Australia, tsunamis, earthquakes? Yes, they are revenge of the Earth. And a small revenge by Earth takes a huge toll on mankind. A major climatic shift happens only when we play around with our environment. The natural resources are depleting fast. It is acceptable that we need petrol, but that is something the Earth is not refusing; Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed; it only wants us to use it judiciously.

 

 

We human beings are so caught up in our day-to-day life that we don’t have time to stand and think about the planet we live in. So on this Earth Day, let us pledge to do take whatever little step we can to help the planet. It may seem like the actions of one person won’t make a difference, but if every person could take one small step towards a better planet, the collective effort could be phenomenal.

It is worthy of note that on Earth Day 2012, more than 100,000 people rode bicycles in China to reduce Co2 emissions and save fuel. Perhaps we can avoid using our car on this day and save petrol and free the atmosphere of some pollution. Maybe we could recycle the papers and stop using plastic bags, conserve water, use fewer chemicals, dispose toxic waste the right way, use less electricity, plant trees; it could be anything, but it will definitely go a long way in saving the earth.

Our world is precious to us and we must become more aware of it. We must do everything in our power to save our world. We should take care of our planet so that future generations can enjoy it too. Our world is worth saving and now is our moment to act. Earth Day is every day!

　

As written by:

Hon. Freedom Chimereze

(President, GLOBAL CITIZENS’ INITIATIVE)

CONTACT: 08162541405