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| Landscape in Nepal |
Much has changed since the inaugural Earth Day celebration
in 1970. For starters, the world’s population has almost doubled—from 3.7
million to over 7 billion—which places unprecedented pressure on natural
resources, land, and water. With the
world population expected
to exceed 9 billion by 2050 (with most growth occurring in developing
countries), understanding the human impact on the environment is more important
than ever before.
John Seager, president of the Population Connection, discusses
where we stand on Earth Day 2013:
“One
in every eight people are already hungry. Climate change’s effects on the environment
are expected to double food prices by 2050. In places where people live on less
than $2 per day and spend a large percentage of their income on food, that
spike would spell disaster. Water resources are also tight. Sure, our planet
may be covered in water, but only 2.5 percent of the water is fresh. Around 1.2
billion people live in areas where water is scarce. By 2025, half of the people
around the globe are expected to live in areas of water stress. And we’re not
the only human beings on this planet. When human populations expand, they can
crowd out plants and animals. Loss of land to development can force animals out
of their territories and destroy plant biodiversity.”
So what can be done to mitigate the negative effects of
growing populations on the earth, to limit environmental degradation, and to slow
climate change? Not surprisingly, suggestions are endless. Seager suggests
investing in women, whose education benefits entire societies. “When girls and
women are educated and active in their communities, they boost entire
economies. And it will help families and communities to be more resilient to
the problems that climate change is already causing.” India
battles for sustainability by arguing
against the construction of dams that will irreversibly alter the landscape, harm
fragile ecology, and potentially cause severe flooding in earthquake-prone
areas. Campaigns to personalize the massive challenges of climate change
include promoting awareness of alternative and eco-friendly practices, such as
recycling, conserving energy, and limiting pollution. While policy is
implemented by governments, sustainable practices must be carried out by the population. Thus, demonstrating the real effects of climate change on people’s
lives increases awareness and allows for the adoption of sustainable practices—small
individual efforts that have meaningful, and lasting, results.
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| Waterfall in Brazil |
While the challenges facing our planet seem ominous, it is
inspiring to see how many nations, how many people, are making a commitment to
acknowledge what must be done to safeguard the environment. Celebrations of
Earth are happening worldwide, each dedicated to their own concerns and
solutions. The common thread? An emphasis on awareness and a community approach
that shrink concern for the environment from a looming mass of concerns to a
manageable list of sustainable practices that can be implemented on a smaller
scale. By fostering personal awareness of environmental protection, sustainability
becomes the responsibility of all, as citizens are directly involved in
contributing to the common good.
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