LENDING AN ‘EAR’TH TO HER CONCERNS
For everything you have bestowed upon us, we owe you beyond our greed.
Author: _Srushti Sonawane
Turning a new page in the book of global environmental conservation on World Earth Day 2024:
Since the inception of the cosmos, marked by the Big Bang, humanity has embarked on an extraordinary trajectory of progress. The arc of human evolution has seen us harness fire, invent the wheel, and transition through the Industrial Revolution to an era of digital technology. Our relentless pursuit of advancement has not only shaped our civilizations but fundamentally transformed the human condition. However, this march of progress has come at a profound cost to our planet.
Understanding the history of World Earth Day, it was first inspired by the anti-war protests at local universities by a US senator on April 22, 1970. Confronting the issues of rising air and water pollution in the USA, about 20 million Americans participated in the demonstrations, which spurred the creation of several significant environmental policies during the inaugural Earth Day in 1970.
Ever since this much needed establishment concerning the environmental denigrations has charted the course, it makes one probe into the vilifications we have inflicted on our mother, having exploited her bounty with little regard for the long-term consequences, compromising her pristine landscapes, rich biodiversity, and delicate ecosystems, Today, the visible distress beckoning from our planet—melting glaciers, devastating forest fires, the extinction of countless species, and alarming rises in global temperatures—are manifestations of the severe environmental degradation we have caused.
As we mark World Earth Day 2024 with the tunes of the Earth Song by the king of pop, Michael Jackson, a certain earworm compels us to enquire that, “Did you ever stop to notice? This crying Earth, these weeping shores!” In this blog, we’ll delve into Ashray Foundation’s thematic work under the banner of ecological conservation as an organization that is diligent towards protecting the environment and provide a brief overview of the results derived from the ripple effect of some effective campaigns driven by the Earth Network. Realizing the magnitude of the disparities we have managed to roll out, we must underline the fact, in the words of the Symphony of Science:
We are all connected.
To each other, biologically
To the earth, chemically
To the rest of the universe, atomically
Ashray’s linch-pine-dousing forest fires, needle by needle:
Project Cheer Urja embodies the spirit of World Earth Day 2024 by tackling the pressing issue of forest fires while simultaneously promoting sustainable energy solutions. In the lush valleys of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, pine vegetation is ubiquitous. Along with their enchanting beauty, pine needles also pose a significant fire hazard, increasing the risk of devastating and threatening ecosystems and endangering communities and livelihoods. Through a pioneering initiative like Project Cheer Urja, we have been able to transform this environmental challenge into an opportunity for creating a sustainable alternative to traditional fuel sources. Converting pine needles into pine briquettes has been a game changer for creating a futuristic alternative, serving as a clean and renewable source of energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and helping combat Climate Change.
Holiya: A Beacon of Hope for Water Sustainability:
Under our “Holiya” initiative, part of Project Jal Sangrah, we are devoted to addressing water scarcity issues, promoting conservation, and facilitating rainwater storage to combat the urgent challenge of conserving depleted groundwater in the rural regions of Patan, Gujrat, battling the threats posed to ecosystems, agriculture, and local communities. Climate Change compounds this predicament by disrupting precipitation patterns and accelerating groundwater depletion in numerous regions. Strategizing groundwater conservation and installing “Holiya,” a bore well replication, is designed to replenish depleted groundwater sources, essential for sustainable farming and agriculture. Embracing such water-efficient methods reduces agricultural water consumption, alleviates pressure on groundwater resources, supports the livelihoods of farmers, and maintains ecological balance in agrarian communities.
A change is just one deed away- Key campaigns/programs/activities conducted by the Earth Network:
In the wake of World Earth Day 2024, a comprehensive wave of curbing Global Warming has inspired individuals to take imperative yet cutting-edge steps to raise awareness. Let’s peruse a few of these potent campaigns and programs:
An initiative led by the Earth Network, #Trees4Earth, is dedicated to motivating global citizens to plant trees as a means of combating Climate Change and rejuvenating ecosystems. Since 2016, the initiative has successfully planted over 900 million trees across India, with contributions from government bodies, NGOs, corporations, academic institutions, religious groups, and individuals. The Earth Day Network actively engages with rural communities, educating them on how the fruit trees they plant can soon provide food and an additional source of income. Specifically, in Lalitpur, one of the most drought-affected regions in India, the network has distributed more than 100,000 fruit saplings to support local families.
Annually, about 150,000 students from across India participate in a competition where they submit descriptions of how their school assemblies address environmental concerns as a part of the Morning Assembly Program, instilling a culture of diligence towards ecological responsibility in the budding generation.
Students create vibrant murals with environmental messages on their school exteriors. The #EarthMurals initiative seeks to motivate those who see them to take action for environmental preservation.
A student film competition that encourages participants to harness the power of the camera to explore and document environmental issues, transforming their insights into concise short films.
5. EndPlasticPollution:
Although it’s important to decrease plastic consumption, dealing with vast quantities of plastic waste remains a significant challenge. India produces about 5.6 million tons of plastic waste every year, much of which is not collected, processed, recycled, or repurposed. With their central theme being “Planet vs. Plastic” for 2024, earthday.org India strongly recommends the following agendas to comply with, waging a much-presumed battle against plastic consumption:
- Religious leaders should have places of worship declared plastic-free zones.
- Municipal corporations should have low-micron plastic bags banned.
- Housing societies to educate them to segregate plastic waste
- Large shopping centers to request them to #SayNoToPlasticBags
- Visitors should not litter beaches, lands, rivers, and mountains.
Earth Day Network runs citizen-led initiatives to #EndPlasticPollution. Working with multiple partners, they have been able to successfully support an all-India Plog Run across 50 cities in India, including 2.8 million people. Major clean-ups have taken place on beaches in Maharashtra that include Mumbai’s famous Juhu beach. Commercial hotel chains have come forward to support the campaign to #RefuseTheStraw. Working with religious heads, they have succeeded in getting major sites visited by millions, declaring themselves ‘No Plastic Zones.’ Other particular focus areas for #EndPlasticPollutioncampaigns are the entire length of the River Ganges, all coastal regions, mountainous areas, and 2nd Tier cities. Sending up the flare and encouraging the spirit of environmental protection with initiatives like this trail blazes a progressive future.
The Earth Day Network initiated the #MyFutureMyVoice campaign, showcasing the perspectives of 50 young individuals from 16 different countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. This campaign is particularly important due to the substantial youth demographic in the region, which comprises approximately 1.1 billion individuals aged between 10 and 24. Each participant committed to an environmentally friendly action by taking the #EarthDay pledge to perform an #ActofGreen.
Earth Hour is an annual globe event organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to raise awareness about Climate Change and encourage individuals, communities, and businesses to take action by switching off non-essential lights for one hour, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time. It symbolizes a commitment to protecting the planet and promoting sustainability. It began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, as a light-off event to raise awareness about Climate Change. Since then, it has grown into a global movement involving millions of people in over 190 countries and territories. During Earth Hour, participants are encouraged to not only turn off their lights but also to engage in activities that promote sustainability, such as hosting candlelit dinners, organizing community clean-ups, or pledging to reduce energy consumption. The event aims to show support for actions that benefit the planet and inspire individuals, businesses, and governments to take ongoing steps to reduce their environmental impact.
Clarion call towards Climate Change:
Raising a hue and cry for saving Mother Earth from the wraths of Global Warming and the impeding Climate Change, the war cry has trumpeted. Not to one’s surprise, the State of Global Climate Report 2023 confirms 2023 as the hottest year on record by a clear margin. Records have been broken for ocean heat, sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice loss, and glacier retreat. Extreme weather is undermining socio-economic development. The cost of climate inaction is higher than the cost of climate action. Even though there is a slither of hope through the renewable energy transition, it is still not the time to be complacent.
These developments serve as a somber reminder that Earth, our nurturing mother, is signaling her distress and pleading for a change in our actions. As stewards of this planet, we must now ask ourselves poignant questions: Have we irrevocably failed our Mother Earth in our stewardship? And amid the extensive damage, can a mother ever truly forgive her offspring for such profound neglect and destruction? The answers to these questions are crucial, as they will determine the legacy of our relationship with Earth and the future of the next generation.
As we celebrate World Earth Day 2024, let us reaffirm our commitment to guard our earth and conserve resources for future generations. By implementing conservation measures, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering collective action, we can safeguard the health and resilience of the essential ecosystems. Whether it’s preserving pine forests or addressing depleted groundwater, every effort counts in the ongoing quest to create a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with our planet. Through collaborative efforts and unwavering dedication, we can turn the tide on Climate Change and usher in a new era of harmony between humanity and the environment. Let us take this moment to yet again remind ourselves that, “We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”