The United Nations (UN) observes International Mother Earth Day or Earth Day annually on April 22 to highlight the interdependence between humans and the Earth’s ecosystems. This observance emphasizes the collective responsibility to promote harmony with nature, ensuring a balance among economic, social, and environmental needs for present and future generations.
- In 2025, this observance gains special significance as it falls within the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a global initiative to combat environmental degradation.
Theme:
i.The theme for Earth Day 2025 is “Our Power, Our Planet”.
ii.The theme urges nations to triple clean electricity generation by 2030, focusing on solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and tidal energy, to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable development.
Background:
i.Establishment: Officially recognized in 2009 via UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/63/278, introduced by Bolivia and supported by 50+ member states.
- The inaugural observance of the UN’s International Mother Earth Day took place on 22 April 2009.
ii.Roots in Rio Declaration (1992): Promotes balancing economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection for sustainable development.
iii.First Observance: Proposed by American peace activist John McConnell at a 1969 UNESCO conference in San Francisco, the United States of America(USA).
- The inaugural Earth Day was celebrated on 22 April 1970, marking the birth of the modern environmental movement.
- The year 2025 commemorates the 55th anniversary of this movement, emphasizing the enduring global commitment to environmental protection.
Significance:
The observance of International Mother Earth Day underscores the urgent need to address environmental challenges:
- The planet is losing 10 million hectares of forests annually, an area larger than Iceland.
- Approximately 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades.
- Human activities such as deforestation, land-use change, intensified agriculture, livestock production, and the illegal wildlife trade are accelerating the destruction of biodiversity.
Key Objectives:
i.Ecosystem Restoration: Revive degraded forests, wetlands, and marine habitats under the UN Decade (2021-2030).
ii.Climate Action: Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C (per Paris Agreement).
iii.Biodiversity Conservation: Halt species extinction by protecting 30% of Earth’s land and oceans by 2030 (Global Biodiversity Framework).
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030):
i.The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide.
ii.This initiative supports efforts to end poverty, combat climate change, and prevent mass extinction, emphasizing that ecosystem restoration can contribute significantly to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.
Earth Day 2025 Poster:
i.Renowned environmental artist Alexis Rockman designed the official Earth Day 2025 poster, which features a solar panel amidst flourishing greenery.
ii.The artwork symbolizes the harmony between technology and nature, reinforcing the theme of transitioning to renewable energy for a sustainable future.
2025 Official Ambassador:
i.Antonique Smith, a Grammy-nominated American actress and singer, serves as the official ambassador for Earth Day 2025.
ii.She is known for her advocacy on environmental issues and will perform “Love Song to the Earth” live in Times Square, New York City, the USA on April 22, 2025, as part of the Earth Day celebrations.
