(Earth Day 2025 theme is ‘Our Power, Our Planet’)
Dr. Dilip Kumar Deka
(Former founder Head of the Department of Environmental Science, Lalit Chandra Bharali College, Guwahati. He can be reached at dilipkumardeka@gmail.com)
Earth Day, which is observed on April 22 every year, began as a nationwide initiative to increase public awareness of environmental issues in 1970. The idea for Earth Day came from peace campaigner John McConnell, who proposed a worldwide day to honour the Earth and advance peace during a 1969 UNESCO convention in San Francisco. Senator Gaylord Nelson then turned this idea into a national environmental teach-in. Senator Gaylord Nelson led the effort, and young activist Denis Hayes, a graduate student at Harvard University, assisted in organising this. On the first Earth Day in 1970, an estimated 20 million Americans participated in rallies, marches, and teach-ins, representing about 10% of the US population at the time. The event was organized by Senator Gaylord Nelson and his student Denis Hayes to raise awareness about environmental issues and demand action. By 1990, Earth Day had become a global event, with more than 200 million participants in more than 140 countries. Since its inception on April 22, 1970, Earth Day has expanded to include a wide range of events organized worldwide involving 1 billion people across more than 193 nations. The date was selected to fall between spring break and final exams at educational institutions, maximising student participation. Every year Earth Day is celebrated with a particular theme. Today, Earth Day is observed all across the world, with celebrations and activities happening in many nations and communities. “Our Power, Our Planet” is the theme for Earth Day 2025. This subject aims to combat climate change by promoting the use of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal and, to a lesser extent, hydro power.
Energy is a critical commodity. It functions as a factor of production, as a process feed and as a consumer good. The availability of energy determines the shape of the lifestyle of individuals and that of the total economy. Energy is the capacity to do work, and power is the rate at which work is done. Energy can take many forms. For example, when a block acquires potential energy when it is raised, and, if it is dropped, that potential energy is converted into motion or kinetic energy. Mechanical forms, such as these, are only one way that energy can be stored; others include chemical, nuclear, electromagnetic, thermal and electrical. Energy may be transformed from one form to another, but by the first law of thermodynamics, energy can neither be created nor destroyed.
There are various methods of power generation on our planet: Solar Power; Hydro-electric Power; Wind Power; Geothermal Power and Hydrothermal Power; Tidal Power; Nuclear Power; Biomass Power; and Fossil Fuel Power – Oil, Natural Gas, and Coal
Among these non-renewable energy sources are nuclear, fossil fuels, and, to a lesser extent, hydropower. For a long period, this source will not be accessible. The reason why nuclear, fossil fuels, and, to some extent, hydropower are not sustainable long-term energy solutions and why the shift toward renewable energy is necessary involves several factors related to resource limitations, environmental impact, and the long-term sustainability of these energy sources. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) are the finite resources of non-renewable resources. Over time, they become increasingly harder to extract and deplete, meaning they are limited. Once these reserves are exhausted, we will not have access to them anymore. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which significantly contribute to global warming and climate change. The environmental damage includes air pollution, ocean acidification, and more extreme weather events. Fossil fuels are unevenly distributed across the planet, leading to geopolitical tensions and conflicts over their control. Countries that depend heavily on importing fossil fuels are vulnerable to market fluctuations and political instability. Although nuclear power itself produces low emissions, it creates dangerous radioactive waste that can remain harmful for thousands of years. Managing this waste safely is a significant challenge. The potential for catastrophic events, such as Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011), has made people wary of nuclear power. Even though advancements in technology have made nuclear reactors safer, the risk of accidents (however rare) remains a significant concern. Building nuclear power plants requires significant financial investment, time, and expertise. The construction of new nuclear plants can take decades, and decommissioning old ones can be just as costly and complicated. The fuel for nuclear reactors (such as uranium) is also finite and non-renewable. While advancements like breeder reactors can recycle uranium, the supply is still not infinite. Large hydropower plants can cause severe environmental disruption. Dams can alter river ecosystems, destroy habitats for wildlife, and displace communities. Fish migration, water quality, and land use can all be affected negatively. Hydropower requires specific geographic features—such as large rivers with high flow rates—which limit its feasibility in many regions. Not all places have the infrastructure or environment suitable for building large dams. Climate change affects the availability of water for hydropower. Droughts and changing rainfall patterns can reduce the efficiency of hydropower plants. Moreover, higher temperatures may lead to less water in reservoirs, further decreasing power generation.
For sustainable development on our planet, we should prefer renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, and biomass, which are abundant and infinite. The sun shines every day, wind blows constantly, and the Earth’s geothermal heat is essentially always available. Renewable energy produces little to no harmful emissions. Solar and wind, for example, generate energy without polluting the air or emitting greenhouse gases. Renewable energy technologies can be deployed at various scales—from small, decentralised installations (like rooftop solar panels) to large-scale solar farms or offshore wind turbines. This adaptability makes renewable energy suitable for a wide range of locations and situations. With renewable energy, countries can generate power locally, reducing reliance on foreign energy sources and boosting energy security. This is particularly important in the context of global energy volatility. As renewable technologies improve and scale up, they continue to get cheaper. The cost of solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries has dropped dramatically over the last decade, making renewable power increasingly affordable for individuals, businesses, and governments alike. Renewable energy offers a sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative that addresses these challenges, providing a pathway to a cleaner, more resilient and more equitable energy future for the planet. It is a key solution to ensuring a long-term, reliable, and safe energy supply for generations to come. Let us make a commitment to renewable energy now on Earth Day 2025 in order to create a healthy, sustainable and prosperous future for all of us.