Earth Day 2022: Invest in our planet

The largest civic observance in the world is all about creating a sustainable tomorrow

Natural disasters and the devastating effects of climate change are impacting food and water security and livelihoods globally, and South Africa is no exception. Throughout Africa, humaninduced environmental degradation is evident, and climatic extreme events such as floods, droughts, heatwaves and the destruction of biodiverse ecosystems are impacting on the continent’s survival — and that of its inhabitants. This Earth Day, however, the message is clear: by investing in the planet, humans have the capability to conserve the environment and replenish the resources that they have exploited for too long.

Earth Day is a global initiative that is observed by millions of people annually on 22 April, in 192 countries. The 2022 theme of Invest in the Planet is a call to businesses, politicians and global citizens to take action now for a more sustainable tomorrow. To do this, it is necessary to shift towards more sustainable economic practices that benefit both people and the planet they call home.

The international community must prioritise the global objectives currently in place to improve ecosystems and planetary health; reduce pollution, waste and carbon emissions; and increase food and water security, ensuring that the efforts leave no one behind. This is according to the United Nations and their Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) partners. To succeed in these objectives there is a need to transition from policy to action, with specific focus on governance, finance and technology, as well as knowledge and capacity building to promote environmental protection and preservation.

In a press release, the South African government emphasises the need for increased awareness this Earth Day, to remind citizens of the interdependence that exists among humans, other species and the planet they all inhabit: “Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the lifesupport systems that make our world habitable. In order to achieve a just balance among the economic, social, and environmental needs of present and future generations, it is necessary to promote harmony with nature and the Earth.”

According to earthday.org president, Kathleen Rogers, the organisation has grown from the first Earth Day that was held in 1970 and is now the world’s largest recruiter for the environmental movement. The mission to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement is being executed across the globe, with more than 150 000 partners working together to build an environmental democracy. With more than one billion people participating annually, Earth Day is the largest civic observance in the world.