International Earth Day

By Paola Velasco and Francisco Peyret

The United Nations General Assembly designated April 22 as International Mother Earth Day through a resolution adopted in 2009. Its origin dates back to 1970, a period when environmental protection was not a priority on the political agenda.

The 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm, laid the foundation for global awareness of the interdependent relationship between humans, other living beings and our planet.

In 1992, more than 178 countries signed the «Agenda 21», the «Declaration on Environment and Development» and the Declaration of Principles for Sustainable Forest Management at the «Earth Summit» in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Since then, all efforts to raise environmental awareness grew exponentially: the Earth Summit in Johannesburg in 2002; the Declaration in 2008 of the International Year of the Earth; the official UN declaration of the International Mother Earth Day; Rio+20, where a document containing measures and practices to implement sustainable development was elaborated; or the most recent ones, such as the Climate Summit or COP25, both focused on the fulfillment of the Paris Agreement.

Thus, every year, our Mother Earth is commemorated through the «Harmony with Nature» initiative, a platform for global sustainable development that annually holds an interactive dialogue on the occasion of the international day. Topics include methods to promote a holistic approach to harmony with nature and an exchange of national experiences on criteria and indicators for measuring sustainable development.
Mother Earth is clearly asking us to act. The oceans are filling with plastics and becoming more acidic. Extreme heat, forest fires, floods and other weather events have affected millions of people. Even to this day we face COVID-19, a global health pandemic with a strong link to the health of our ecosystem.

Climate change, human-induced changes in nature, as well as biodiversity-disturbing crimes such as deforestation, land-use change, intensive crop and livestock production or the growing illegal wildlife trade, may accelerate the pace of destruction of the planet.

Ecosystems support all forms of life on Earth. The health of our ecosystems is directly dependent on the health of our planet and its inhabitants. Restoring those that are damaged will help end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction. But we will only achieve this if everyone does their part.

Let’s remember today more than ever on this International Mother Earth Day that we need a shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet.

Did you know that…?

• Every year, the world loses 10 million hectares of forest; an area similar to Iceland.
• Healthy ecosystems help protect us from disease because the diversity of species makes it harder for pathogens to spread.
• About one million animal and plant species are in danger of extinction.

What can we do to help Mother Earth?

We are part of the Earth, so we have to do our part every day. We have to reflect every day on the impacts we cause, and think, for example, how a gesture, even a particular one, can reach all other organisms and people. It is logical that as individuals, as a small community, in the face of the avalanche of climatic events and bad news about environmental impacts, we permanently experience feelings such as guilt and helplessness.

It is essential that we understand that our battle must be fought as individuals, as a family and as a community. It becomes easier to understand that our contribution is fundamental to help heal our planet. The key is in our habits, so here are some of the things we should not forget to contribute to save the planet:

1. Using dishwashers and washing machines at full load is a way to save energy and water and avoid unnecessary emissions. If you avoid as much as possible the use of the dryer, which «sucks» energy like few other household appliances, the better.
   Do not skimp when buying energy-saving appliances, especially the refrigerator, which is the one that spends the most, because it is always on: with the most efficient ones you can save up to 60 percent in energy. If you apply the same reductions to other appliances, such as washing machine, dryer, or dishwasher… it’s a good investment!
2. It is now possible to use renewable energies at home. And not only will you save, you will also be betting on the most sustainable energy sources. Talk to experts and look at the possibilities in your home or neighborhood community.
3. Turn off all electronic devices at home when not in use, such as the TV. Avoid «phantom» consumption. As simple as using a power strip to turn off everything at once when you do not need it and turn your back on standby.
4. Recycling is necessary: paper, plastics, glass… But we must also make an effort to reduce packaging, waste… And reuse. Keep in mind that in San Miguel the municipal regulations prohibit commercial establishments from using single-use plastic bags and unicel.
5. Recycling an aluminum can can save 90 percent of the energy needed to produce a new one.
6. Forests are necessary to produce paper. Therefore, reducing paper napkins and replacing them with cloth ones, making as few photocopies as possible, or making double-sided copies are good practices. More recycling, less trees to cut down.
7. Living without using private vehicles to get around can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 2.5 tons per person per year. Yes, you can reduce your use of vehicles!
8. Hot water is the third largest energy guzzler in a house, with about 20 percent. Just think that a shower, as efficient as a bath, consumes four times less water and energy.
9. Red meat production is one of the most important sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Much more than other protein sources, such as legumes. Even pork or chicken… Producing one kilogram of meat consumes 15,000 liters of water.
10. The textile industry is one of the biggest polluters of the planet. In Spain alone, around 400,000 tons of waste are generated every year. And more than 12 million are thrown away with only six consumer uses. Reusing clothes that we do not use reduces the use of resources such as cotton and oil. Note: making a suit requires 5,500 liters of water and more than 4,000 liters for shoes.
11. Water is scarce and a good use of it is a great environmental advance. Avoiding leaks, avoiding running the faucets while brushing our teeth or shaving, installing certain water-saving faucets, aerators or valves to regulate the flow help us save money and be more respectful of a scarce resource.