“God wanted to make heaven, and the earth is that heaven. Nowhere in the universe there is so much love, life, beauty and peace. Enjoy your stay with the fellow beings.”
Dr. Amit Ray, author, spiritual master
Earth Day is a celebration of the planet. A day to remind us that earth and its ecosystems provide us with life and food.
However, with pollution levels on the rise and rampant deforestation everywhere there is a dire need to save the earth. Pollution and deforestation cause damage to humans, animals and all organisms. Climate change is a direct effect of this.
History
In 1970, in San Francisco, U.S., activist John McConnell and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson asked Americans to join in a grass roots demonstration. McConnell chose the spring equinox (March 21, 1970) and Nelson chose April 22. Millions of people participated. Since then, Earth Day and all that it supports has grown, and many activities including planting trees, cleaning litter, or simply enjoying nature through hiking, gardening, or a stroll in a local park to learn about flora and fauna make up the day.
Around 192 nations celebrate this day in the hope of finding a way to solve problems of the environment and look after it.
Theme
Earth Day Network, the organisation that leads Earth Day worldwide, announced that Earth Day 2018 will focus on mobilising the world to “End Plastic Pollution”. They hope to educate millions about the health and other risks associated with the use and disposal of plastic, including pollution of our oceans, water, and wildlife and about the growing evidence of what decomposing plastics are creating. It has been poisoning and injuring marine life and their presence is obvious in our food, causing major life-threatening diseases.
Goals
Stop using plastic
Promote alternatives to fossil fuel-based materials
Promote recycling of plastic.
Do not dispose plastic covers after just one use. Try re-using till they wear off.
Carry cloth bags to stores while shopping
05 YT kids garden
What you can do
If you live in an apartment, try your hand at a groovy garden: Take a tray with around 6 -12 squares. Plant a few seeds of coriander, cumin and fenugreek. They grow easily in pots and don’t need too much attention. Common herbs can form your green patch.
Right tree in the right place: According to your geographical region, choose trees that are suitable. Seek advice from tree societies to check for native trees and plants.
Welcome butterflies and birds into your garden/balcony: Greenery and colours in the garden will woo them. The flowers then become the source of food for these winged friends.
Grow vegetables: Take a a few pots and plant seeds of chillies, tomatoes, and lady’s finger. Spray water every day. See them germinate without much effort.
Conserve water: Use the shower only when you are washing your hair. Switch to buckets for your daily bath routine. Don’t leave the tap open while brushing your teeth. Recycle waste water and reused in the garden
Get together: With your friends and clean up your surrounding area. Organise groups to pick up litter. Segregate waste. Set up boards telling people not to urinate in public spaces.
A ban!
It takes 500-1,000 years for plastic to degrade.
It is seen that 50% of the plastic we use, is just used once and throw away. Hence the accumulation.
The amount of plastic discarded each year is enough to encircle the earth four times.
Plastic accounts for around 10% of the total waste generated.
Plastic constitutes approximately 90% of trash floating on the ocean’s surface, with 46,000 pieces of plastic per square mile.
One million sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed annually from plastic in our oceans.
On YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACaFPq9wOp4
Take a look at why plastic must be banned and the perils it poses to humans and animals alike.
