Current epidemic reminds us about world earth day ethics, says Dr P.C. Sharma,
renowned environmentalist.
As the world completes 50 years of ‘Earth Day’ celebrations on
April 22 with commemorations planned for the day at global level. But a section
of people have raised questions about “what we are celebrating.”
Commemorating a day’s foundation is not enough, reasons for celebration should
have been protection of earth and Biodiversity that it nurtures, is the refrain-by
not taking serious lessons from the past.
It was unified decision taken 50 years ago in 1970 devised plans and
steps to save ‘Mother Earth’ with a hope of wholesome new earth. But 50 years
later, need still arises to ask what we are celebrating, says Dr P.C. Sharma, a
renowned environmentalist, who has been credited with organizing several Geo-
heritage and Natural History Museums across the country for awakening the
masses to safeguard our earth planet. He further admitted that the declaration of
Earth Day led to passing of landmark environmental conservation laws including
clean air, clean water, healthy ecosystem and endangered species Act impact
indicators are barely ‘satisfactory.’
Rampant urbanization, industrialization, vehicular traffic and other
human activities have led to destruction of mother earth. Dr Sharma says,”
COVID-19 has provided us a chance to rethink and realize essentials positive
emerging from the current gloomy state of affair about the celebrations of Earth
Day in words and spirit.” If we fail to avail the opportunity, in my view it is just a
political circus and merely symbolic planet’s civic event. What does it means to
celebrate the Day when the actions to save the earth are missing, says the
Naturalist Dr. Sharma.
Having seen the destruction of the earth, environment, climate change
over the years destruction has been compromised. Still lakhs of people could not
have the access to clean water and air, hygienic living environment and large scale
destruction of forests. And if we speak about the celebrations that have been
lined up by the world even those are still in pipeline,” said he. Dr Sharma is also
saddened by the haphazard, unplanned and directionless’ growth of cities that
leads to chaos, poorly maintained roads and illegal construction are reasons
enough for “not celebrating.”
Dr Sharma feels that the world has grown directionless that makes the
life chaotic. The Governments across the world spent millions on planting green
but today those plants are dying for want of water and care. He cautioned that it
was a high time the world woke up to the occasion and discipline and concern for
enormity of destruction of Mother Earth.
The theme for Earth Day-2020 is climate action. Still though the world is
facing enormous challenges yet it has also the vast opportunities of action on
climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the
50th anniversary of the International Earth Day. Climate change represents the
biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that
make our world habitable.
At the end of 2020, nations will be expected to increase their national
commitments to the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. The time is now
for citizens to call for greater global ambition to tackle our climate crisis. Unless
every country in the world steps up – and steps up with urgency and ambition —
we are consigning current and future generations to a dangerous and devastating
future.
And while a sizeable number agrees to disagree with “celebrations” at
this point of time, there is also an agreement on making amends and finding real
way out to celebrate in the future with effective action component and passion
for Earth care post lockdown.
Current epidemic reminds us about world earth day ethics, says Dr P.C. Sharma
Earth Day 2020 will be far more than a day. It must be a historic moment
when citizens of the world rise up in a united call for the creativity, innovation,
ambition, and bravery that we need to meet our climate crisis and seize the
enormous opportunities of a zero-carbon future only then we can boost of
celebrating the day. EOM
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