Earth Day: For Celebration OR For Action?

I. HISTORY

On 22 April, 1970, the whole United States raised their voice towards, the protection of the planet. around 20 Millions U.S population came into streets, some protested in the colleges. universities, to protect the environmental ignorance and the save the planet for upcoming generation, which is now, celebrated as a biggest event all over the globe. Resultant, on this very day, U.S and many countries established like: Clean Air Act, Environmental laws, Endangered wildlife laws etc.

Let's see the historical timeline of Earth Day:

II. THEME AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE:

This year marks 51st Anniversary of Earth Day 2021 with the theme: "Restore Our Earth".

The significance: Restoring the planet requires sustainable jobs creation in a green consumer market. It requires citizens to engage meaningfully with their governments on environmental, economic, and justice issues. Because, it is not about just adaptation and mitigation anymore. We need to restore our Earth now.

To this end, EARTHDAY.ORG is focused on developing universal climate literacy combined with civic education.

III. How can we do that? Initiatives on Global level:

1) Climate Literacy: Literacy means that you are aware about things. People are aware that these things are going on in the Planet. But simply acknowledging the climate crisis is not enough; the next generation will need knowledge and skills to participate in a green economy, to save the Humans. 

“Climate education is taught nowhere – nowhere – effectively". In fact, the average number of hours a child in the U.S. hears about climate change in high school is somewhere between one and two hours in an entire year. 

Talking about India, people are not even that much aware with the word Climate in Schools as some teachers does not teach anything apart from syllabus, some are aware with the term but are not willing to teach or make students aware about that.

We always says, SAVE THE PLANET, we forgets the fact that nature has the ability to restore itself, which we witnessed in Covid-19 Worldwide lockdown. Therefore, it should be SAVE THE HUMANS. Because, we are making living vulnerable for ourselves, for our fauna. 

Whatever we are doing to this Earth, we are doing to us only. for that we need to Restore our Earth.

2) Climate as a part of school curriculum (Education): Now, this is something called Action. The fact that we are aware of the things and we want to bring a change.  Many countries participated in this meet where, The United States officially re-entered the Paris Agreement on February 19th, 2021 after the Trump administration reversed the decision to become a signatory. which had withdrew its name in the year 2016, Paris Climate Agreement.

UN Global Climate Summit, Conference Of Parties, (COP26) which took place in 2021 in Glasgow, mentioned that :The Climate education must be compulsory, assessed and coupled with a strong civic engagement component.

It also seeks compulsory climate education in primary and secondary schools worldwide and is asking for global leaders to solidify their commitments to implementing ambitious education system change.

IV. Our Actions:

1. Volunteer with Earthday.org (free) and participate in initiatives both Local and Global.
2. Support the Great Global Cleanup and pick up trash while enjoying your outdoor activities. It is a great way to save that plastic bottle cap from the landfill while you are on your morning walk! Search your nearby cleanup programme.
3. Be a part of the change. Change your diet to fight climate change! Try participating in meatless Mondays!
4. Try a food print calculator to find out exactly how your meals impact the planet. 
5. Advocate for governments to make climate change and climate literacy a core feature of school curriculum across the globe. 
6. Add your voice to the campus climate project and advocate for stronger environmental commitments from your college or university. 
7. EARTHDAY.ORG operates in over 190 countries to drive transformative change for our planet. Share your story, or your community’s story and the environmental efforts being made.
8. Stop deforestation by supporting companies that take an active role against it. And try to plant trees near your living area. And say no to those who are cutting down the trees.
9. Calculate your personal carbon footprint and make changes to reduce it — it’s something we can all do to help the planet.
10. Most people by now know that single-use plastic grocery bags are extremely dangerous to environment. Pledge to use a reusable grocery bag.
11. Teachers play a significant role in providing communities with the knowledge they need to advocate for a cleaner, more secure future. 
12. Convince your school, college, university or office building to choose reusable utensils, trays, and dishes in the cafeteria.
13. Practice sustainable fashion! Donate your old clothes and home goods instead of throwing them out. When you need something, consider buying used items. Used does not always mean unfashionable! 
14. Integrate a simple act of green into your daily routine. Take a shorter shower and use a water-saving shower head. 
15. Save electricity and turn off lights when you leave the room. 

Our Earth is Ours, not his or hers. We as an individual need to change our perspective, work on our own. Everyday, we see, hear news regarding Forest fires, Ocean dumping's, Oil spills, Carbon Emission, Endangered Species, Deforestation, Pollution, and what not. But let all of us take a pledge together, not for a Day, but for everyday, that: We will take actions, to save and Restore Our Earth Together. Because, together we can.