Earth Day 2023

On April 22, 2023, Earth Day was celebrated worldwide, while Muslims in South Asia and East Asia observed Eid-ul-Fitr. Even though the celebration of this day is somewhat muted in Muslim countries under cover of Eid celebrations, the day is being celebrated at a time when the people of this subcontinent are bracing themselves in the heat.

Why is the earth becoming so hot day by day? Why is the earth’s environment becoming difficult and dangerous for human beings to live day by day?

Are we causing too much damage or throwing off balance? What steps can we take to reduce damage, restore balance, and raise awareness about the urgency of the situation?

This day has been celebrated on April 22 every year since 1970—an initiative of the United Nations.

This year marks the 51st day of Earth Day, and it reminds us of how closely we are connected to Mother Earth and our great responsibility to protect it.

Therefore, this day is specially celebrated to awaken the sense of responsibility of humankind towards the planet Earth and pledge to play its due role in protecting it. We can all contribute to the environment by planting trees, cleaning up waste, and reducing our reliance on non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels.

This year the day was celebrated worldwide with various programs such as rallies, concerts, and tree-planting activities. World Earth Day Network Organization Currently, EarthDay.Org (EARTHDAY.ORG) has selected this year’s theme for Earth Day: Invest in Our Planet, which will remain in force next year.

All these programs are held to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet and its natural resources.

Pic: Courtesy Earthreminder.com

A lot has happened, but not anymore. We’ve caused much damage to the world for our gain, comfort, and development. And also we are spreading chemical pollution around the world, not anymore.

It’s time to invest in healing the earth’s wounds and restoring humanity’s environment. Don’t wait, as time is running out. Investments should prioritize environmentally friendly development that enhances, not harms, the environment.

Avoiding pollution should be a priority. Our development partner will be our mother Earth (Mother Earth), and that is the green economy.

For a green, prosperous, and equitable future to become a reality, business personnel, governments, and civil society must take action against the climate crisis.

Let us adopt a green economy to avail of its benefits. Building a stable future requires massive support from governments, societies, institutions, and businesses.

How can we personally contribute to Earth Day-2023?

It’s essential to educate yourself about environmental issues and take action to help to make a meaningful contribution to Earth Day 2023. Here are given some ideas below in this regard:

• • Minimize the use of electricity when it’s not necessary. Switch off and disconnect electrical appliances while leaving the rooms of educational institutions, offices, and homes. Switch off electric lights in the garden and street lights at dawn. Stopping the roof water pumping motor on time is crucial to restoring electricity and reducing or eliminating artificial fountains by beautifying gardens, roads, or infrastructure. The environment can improve by reducing electricity consumption by stopping water wastage etc. Remember that electricity generation uses fossil fuels like diesel, petrol, and octane, which produce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
  • Use a bicycle for short-distance commuting or walking and develop the habit of walking and traveling by train instead of bus or plane when traveling to distant places.
  • Consider purchasing environmentally friendly products by labeling chemical products.
  • Eat less and reduce food waste. Food production uses a lot of energy, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. Fossil fuels are used for energy production, and chemical fertilizers and pesticides are severely polluting the earth. On the other hand, about one-third of the world’s people are suffering from food shortages. So, food waste should reduce.
  • Limit the use of clothes and develop the habit of using the same cloth repeatedly. Many trees are cut to make human clothes, energy is consumed, and dyes continuously pollute water.
  • Increase internet usage by reducing paper usage. It should remember that the raw material source for paper comes from plants.

• Develop the habit of using a product repeatedly rather than using it once.
• Not to use single-use plastic products.
• Develop the habit of using perishable products instead of using non-perishable products.
• Plant more trees and develop public awareness against cutting trees and deforestation.
• Do not throw waste everywhere.
• Be kind to insects, animals, and birds by not killing them unnecessarily. It should remember that every insect, spider, animal, and bird work continuously for us, for the welfare of this earth’s environment, and to protect its balance. Almighty Allah has said this in the Holy Quran. For example, cockroaches, our much-hated and despised insect, keep our house clean by constantly eating your household waste like nails, small pieces of plastic, fallen hairs, etc. The forest supplies oxygen and absorbs the carbon dioxide we exhale, maintaining balance to keep the earth’s atmosphere clean and healthy. Cockroaches work to keep that forest alive by eating its fallen leaves and tilling it like a plow.
• Also, through various articles, written cartoons, etc., the importance of Earth Day-2023 can promote at home, even on social media, etc.

 সূত্র:  EARTHDAY.ORG, Earth Reminder, and WIKIPEDIA