World Earth Day 2020 – A New Turning Point

-Jayant Saharabudhe 

 

Accept my greetings and best wishes on the occasion of 50th World Earth Day.

 

Forty nine years have rolled on since we observed 1st Earth Day on April 22, 1970. In spite of remarkable progress in science and technology and resultant economic development, world is facing extraordinary environmental and ecological challenges. Majority of scientists agree that climate change is a reality and we are actually facing almost existential crisis. This suggests that there is an urgent need of revisiting, rethinking and reshaping our approaches for seeking apt solutions to this huge challenge.

 

 

Idea of observing Earth day emerged as a reaction to an unprecedented environmental accident in January, 1969, at a coastal oil well in California which blew out creating unimaginable fire; killing thousands of sea species - small and big. Along with this, it badly affected all factors in that area like air, water, food which are very essential for healthy life. These matters triggered large protests in US demanding laws for environment protection, provision for environment education and similar things. In the following year, it was decided to observe Earth Day on April 22, 1970, to create general awareness. And, it was a huge success. Around 20 million Americans participated in this nationwide campaign.

 

 

Earth Day became unifying platform for environmentally conscious people and their groups. Strong message started spreading across the borders of America. Laws addressing concerns of ecology and environment were enacted not only in America, but also in few countries around the world.

 

Twenty years down the line, in 1990 Earth Day reached on global stage. It was observed in 141 countries, indicating growing awareness about environment and its protection. This worldwide impact led to the organization of 1st Earth Summit by United Nations at Rio De Janeiro in Brazil in 1992. Idea of recycling gained importance during this period. Concepts like ‘Think Global Act Local’ started capturing more attention. Number of social environmental groups and their theme based activities started rising substantially in this decade. Scientific research and technology development for mitigation of environmental problems became need of the hour. More awakening of people across the globe towards environment, ecology and related problems was achieved.

 

Beginning of a new millennium, the year 2000, was another special moment for the onward march of Earth Day. The ‘Day’ was observed in record 184 countries. People across the world were brought together by modern communication networks for common cause. Environmental damage or ecological imbalance at a place is not a local phenomenon, but has global implications; this was observed and accepted as a scientific reality. In September, 2000, UN adopted Millennium Declaration. Millennium Development Goals, popularly known as MDGs, were derived out of it. These goals highlighted urgent need for reconciliation of economic growth and environmental concerns to arrest and remove growing disparities at various levels, from individuals to countries. 189 countries collectively accepted challenge to achieve these goals by 2015.

 

Unfortunately desired targets of MDGs could not be accomplished till 2015. In 2015, UN adopted Sustainable Development Goals, popularly known as SDGs, to supplant MDGs. SDGs can be seen as advanced version of MDGs, certainly more comprehensive in nature. In December, 2105, at COP21 ( 21st meeting of Conference Of Parties) meeting in Paris, all parties attached to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreed to combat climate change and intensify actions for sustainable future. UN opened Paris Agreement for signature by all parties on Earth Day - 22 April, 2016 - which was a new landmark in its journey.

 

Journey of 49 years of ‘Day’ has brought forth concerns about environment and ecology in very emphatic manner. People are acquainted with terms like climate change, global warming, biodiversity protection, and several similar others. Many have developed and have initiated novel actions for arresting these growing environmental threats. Nowadays planting of trees, cleanliness drives, no plastic use, etc. are familiar and popular activities in general. As a success of this journey, we can undoubtedly say that awareness about environment has successfully trickled down to masses and has initiated drive for seeking solutions for the same. Earth Day has become a ‘Turning Point’ indeed.

 

 

Let us have a look at initiatives aimed at finding solutions for this mighty challenge of climate change. Tremendous search is on in last 4-5 decades to bring out scientific and technological solutions. And there are number of successful examples also. Technologies for new and renewable energy, methods of water conservation, biodiversity protection mechanisms, waste management techniques, green chemistry processes, etc. are some of the many examples which are in regular use. Schemes for scientific awareness and actions like public display of air quality index, incentives for use of renewable energy, metering of water, segregation of different types of waste, encouragement for organic farming, and many such are in vogue. All these things are predominantly ‘objective’ in nature.

 

 

With all these tools and instruments collective accomplishment of desired goals remained a distant dream. What is that factor which restricts us from getting expected results? Revisiting these endeavors suggests that we need some additional element to complete a task.

 

There is a newly emerging scientific approach which can be looked upon as that additional element, which is missing from the present scheme. New or Modern physics tells us that observer cannot remain neutral to what he or she is observing. This concept has transformed our idea about reality. Barriers between life and matter are disappearing and new profound scientific concept of ‘Oneness’ is dawning on the horizon of science. This again is matching with a guideline - let us live in harmony with nature. Thus, developing a kinship with nature looks to be a very promising and definite formula for desired outcome. Let us get associated with a concept of ‘Mother Earth’. Uphold our age old yet fresh scientific wisdom. This is a ‘subjective’ approach.

 

Theme of Earth Day 2020 is ‘Climate Action’. This ‘Action’ of merging of ‘subjective’ and ‘objective’ approaches can change the game of combating climate change, global warming and lead us to sustainable future. This will be a new ‘Turning Point’ in the great journey of Earth Day.