International Mother Earth Day

In many countries, Mother Earth is a common expression for the planet earth. This reflects the interdependence that exists among human beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit. Interestingly, the Earth and its ecosystems together constitute our only home. There is no Planet B to which we can run away in case of an emergency. That exactly is why it is very much important to promote harmony with Nature and the Earth in order to achieve a just balance among the economic, social, and environmental needs of present and future generations. Keeping this in mind, United Nations had, exactly ten years ago declared April 22 as International Mother Earth Day. It is a day designated to remind ourselves that it is only this Earth and its ecosystems that provide us with life and sustenance. This Day also recognizes a collective responsibility, as called for in the 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity. United Nations has in the meantime also underlined that fact that climate change is one of the largest global threats to sustainable development and it is just one of many imbalances caused by the unsustainable actions of humankind, with direct implications for future generations. No wonder, United Nations, while asking the world community to observe International Mother Earth Day, has identified ‘Harmony with Nature’ as one area for ensuring inclusive, equitable and quality education on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. The global forum has also asked the governments to inspire citizens and societies to reconsider how they interact with the natural world in the context of sustainable development, poverty eradication and climate justice. International Mother Earth Day provides an opportunity to raise public awareness around the world to the challenges regarding the well-being of the planet and all the life it supports. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement encourage international cooperation among parties on climate change education, training, public awareness, public participation and public access to information. To observe International Mother Day the agenda could be very simple; like – saying No to plastic and polythene, refraining from wasting food and water, refraining from dumping garbage in drains and water-bodies, reducing environment-related diseases by improving the environment where we live and work, and so on.