Earth Day 2024- Planet Vs Plastics | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

• Since the 1800s, the Earth's surface temperature has risen by 1.0 degree Celsius, primarily due to greenhouse gas emissions resulting from human activities. The latest report from the World Meteorological Organization underscores record-breaking increases in global temperatures, ocean heat levels, and unprecedented rises in sea levels observed in 2023. These alarming trends underscore the urgent need to safeguard our environment for future generations. April 22nd is annually observed as International Earth Day worldwide, with various events organized to raise awareness and inspire action on environmental issues.
• This year marks the 54th anniversary of the annual celebrations, with the theme "Planet vs. Plastics." The theme underscores the threat posed by plastics to the planet and human health, calling for an end to all plastic waste by advocating for a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040. Climate change poses the most significant challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that sustain our world.

History of Earth Day

• Earth Day originated as a unified response to an environment in crisis, characterized by incidents such as oil spills, smog, and rivers so polluted that they would catch fire. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans—representing 10% of the U.S. population at the time—took to the streets, college campuses, and hundreds of cities to protest environmental degradation and demand a new path forward for our planet. The first Earth Day is credited with catalyzing the modern environmental movement and is now recognized as the planet's largest civic event.

Why Do We Need Earth Hour?

• Global warming and climate change have dominated scientific discourse for over a decade, posing significant risks to humankind and other species due to factors such as increasing industrialization, pollution, declining forest cover, and rising sea levels. Although major polluters are large industries, organizations like the WWF strive to raise awareness among the masses about the imminent dangers of adverse climate change. By doing so, they hope to mobilize public pressure on governments to enact environmentally friendly policies and laws.
• Earth Hour, organized by the WWF, aims to encourage people worldwide to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. The symbolic act of turning off lights for an hour serves as an annual reminder that if the world fails to change its ways, it risks plunging into literal darkness—a dark age with grave consequences.

Result of the first Earth Day:

• The inaugural Earth Day in 1970 spurred a wave of action, leading to the enactment of groundbreaking environmental laws in the United States. Legislation such as the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts, as well as the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), were direct outcomes of the first Earth Day. Many other countries followed suit, implementing similar environmental protection measures.

Earth Day's global significance:

• Earth Day serves as a reminder of the critical role played by the Earth and its ecosystems in sustaining life. It also underscores our collective responsibility, as outlined in the 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote harmony with nature and achieve a balance among economic, social, and environmental needs for present and future generations. This day presents an opportunity to raise global awareness about the challenges facing our planet and all its inhabitants.

Policy changes to address environmental concerns:

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): This initiative, comprising eight missions, focuses on addressing India's domestic developmental needs while responding to international developments in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Ratification of the Paris Agreement: India's ratification of the Paris Agreement, following the successful conclusion of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), demonstrates its commitment to post-2020 actions on climate change.

Initiatives to combat climate change

• Adoption of cleaner fuels: India has introduced BS-VI petrol and diesel to reduce emissions.
• Reduction of single-use plastics: India has pledged to eliminate all single-use plastics by 2022.
• Promotion of renewable energy: India has formulated policies such as the National Bio-fuel Policy and the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy to enhance renewable energy production.
• Participation in international initiatives: India is a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), aiming to deploy over 1000 GW of solar energy by 2030 and mobilize significant investment in solar power.
• Other initiatives include state-level action plans on climate change, coal cess and the National Clean Energy Fund, the FAME Scheme for E-mobility, the Swachh Bharat Mission, and the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change, among others. These efforts demonstrate India's commitment to addressing environmental challenges and transitioning to a more sustainable future.