April 22, World Earth Day is here again, to remind us that we have responsibilities that go beyond our home. It is a special day to express our gratitude to Planet Earth and support all forms of life.
The very first event for Earth Day, which was held on April 22 1970, in America five decades ago following a devastating oil spill, is credited as the beginning of the modern environmental movement.
It was founded by former US senator Gaylord Nelson after he saw the enormous 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. To mark the landmark occasion, a staggering 20 million people took part in rallies across the US.
In 1990, the event went global, with 200 million people in 141 countries celebrating it, according to the Earth Day Network.
More than two decades on, at least 192 countries mark Earth Day every year, including Britain, Canada, Ukraine, Spain, and the Philippines.
Some communities even celebrate Earth Week – an entire seven days of activities and rallies focused on the world’s environmental problems.
An important environment of education and awareness for the younger generation is school. Children and young people in school must have love and respect for the planet and nature. Organizing various activities to add information and foster awareness and action to protect the planet should be part of every curriculum.
Increasing individual responsibility is the key to moving from awareness to action, which will bring man back into balance with nature.
No matter what role we have: citizen or consumer, producer or promoter, decision maker or judge, we all have a role to play, we have specific responsibilities to achieve, if we really want to breathe fresh air, drink fresh water and have a healthier place to live.
In conclusion, we must remember that environmental protection is a process and not an end. Self-satisfaction should never be a worthwhile option when it comes to protecting the basic elements of our lives. We need to act now. The longer we wait, the harder it will be to maintain the balance we need.