Today is Earth Day!
World Earth Day, celebrated every year on April 22, is much more than just an annual event. It’s an opportunity to reflect on our relationship with the planet and take steps to preserve its fragile balance. In this article, we’ll explore the history of Earth Day, the environmental challenges we face today and the innovative initiatives shaping a more sustainable future.
The History of Earth Day
Earth Day was inaugurated on April 22, 1970, thanks to the initiative of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson. Inspired by the protest movements against the Vietnam War, Nelson wanted to mobilize public opinion on environmental issues. This first celebration brought together millions of people across the United States and marked the beginning of a worldwide environmental movement.
Current environmental challenges
Despite the progress made since the creation of Earth Day, we face unprecedented environmental challenges. We have already exceeded the limits of six of the nine critical planetary boundaries , endangering the ecological balance of our planet. Climate change, biodiversity loss, chemical contamination and other problems threaten our health and well-being, as well as that of future generations.
1- Climate change:
Why? Mainly due to increased greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation and other industrial activities. Cela a entraîné une augmentation de la température mondiale, qui affecte notamment les écosystèmes, les conditions météorologiques et l’élévation du niveau des mers.
2- Biodiversity and ecosystem integrity:
Why? The destruction of natural habitats (such as deforestation), pollution, climate change, overexploitation (through fishing, hunting, etc.), and the introduction of invasive species have led to a rapid loss of biodiversity. The sixth mass extinction is underway, with the rate of species extinction much higher than the natural rate.
