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    Happy Earth Day!

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    You might think that we hardly need a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, yet the continuous popularity of the annual Earth Day celebration offers evidence to the contrary. The inaugural event, back in 1970, was an immediate success, propelling more than 20 million people to stage the largest single-day civic event in human history. Ever since, come 22 April, environmentalists the world over have rallied, encouraging people to come together and take action for a healthier planet and brighter future.

    This year, the theme of Earth Day is “Planet vs. Plastics”. The aim of the organisers is clearly to raise awareness of the harms of plastic pollution for human and planetary health. There is growing concern that discarded plastic is destroying habitats, harming wildlife, and contaminating the food chain. Yet there is also hope. Nearly 200 countries have agreed to start negotiations on an international agreement to act on the plastic crisis. More than 50 countries have called for an end to plastic pollution by 2040. A historic UN treaty on plastics is expected to be agreed by the end of 2024.

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    For those eager to participate in the celebration and contribute their time and enthusiasm, EARTHDAY.ORG’s webpage offers a host of events, toolkits, and initiatives aiming to raise awareness, inspire change, and foster a deeper connection with nature. “Together, we can make a meaningful impact and create a more sustainable world,” proclaim the organisers, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040.

    As always, there are critical voices, too. Accusations of using the occasion cynically for greenwashing abound. A couple of years ago, Greta Thunberg tweeted that Earth Day “has turned into an opportunity for people in power to post their ‘love’ for the planet, while at the same time destroying it at maximum speed.” The issue of greenwashing has only escalated since. More importantly, some critics warn that the official statements and pledges issued on Earth Day might lull us into a false sense of progress.

    Nevertheless, it is a day to conjure some true community spirit and demonstrate its potential to change human behaviour and provoke policy changes. It serves as a reminder that everyone has a shared responsibility for the health of the planet and that corporations, governments, communities, and individuals must work together to achieve this goal.

    “With a host of issues driving our environmental challenges down society’s priority list, events like Earth Day remind us of the long-term cost of short-termism,” says Yvo de Boer, former UN climate chief.

    Image courtesy of NordSIP via Midjourney
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