address the human development issues also while talking about earth day.
Sustainability should be our primary concern be it the sustainability of planet or
sustainability of healthy living conditions of human beings. In the wake of
growing population, where the health, sanitation, education, gender equality all
such issues are cropping up , it is difficult to imagine a healthy planet without
healthy human race.
The success to the objectives of Earth Day is halted by factors such as Climate
change critics, rich oil lobbyists, reluctant politicians, a neutral public, and a
divided environmental community. The only ray of hope is that the concerns of
environment grow every year and public knowledge and understanding should
grow each year. Since the first Earth Day, environmentalism has evolved from a
periphery subject to a typical topic of discussion. Anyone having petty awareness
of environment claims to be an environmentalist. Being aware about
environmental issues will make little sense unless n until changes in lifestyles are
brought about. Protecting Earth is more about being careful about the choices
that we make and decisions that we take. A change in mindset and behaviour is
must without which success cannot be guaranteed. A thoughtful action from
individuals is possible only when the basic conditions of human survival are met
and there are no economic or social disparities in society.
The Road Ahead
The situation does not seem to be different than what it was in 1970 as there are
more serious issues crippling over. Had been the case that serious efforts made
there would not have been more critical issues facing the earth today. From air
and water quality, we have moved towards the survivability of our planet and
human race. It shows that things have moved from bad to worse. Every Day
should be the Earth Day and one must be accountable for his/her actions.
Tickling issues like food security, climate change and poverty eradication have
come on the mainstream. Very soon the earth will be bankrupt with all the
resources gone and with that the economy of countries will also fail. Economic
activities are linked with environment. There may be billions added to the
population celebrating the day but the actual change is yet to come. The amounts
of efforts made today are not enough to bring back the earth and its people to its
original state.
The theme of Earth Day 2015 is “Its Time to Lead”. It conveys that along with the
common masses taking the small steps, the governments and politicians will have
to take giant leaps to save the planet. Stringent laws and rules have to be made,
to make people realize the importance of protecting the nature and valuing
human dignity. As individuals it is very difficult to expect that critical issues like
climate change can be solved single handedly. We don’t need to make fancy
Special Volume 1, October 2015
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