Question

Essay on 'Restore our Earth'​

Answer 1

Explanation:

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. In this article, Arpita Dasgupta points out that the COVID-19 pandemic is, in fact, a red flag pointing to an imbalance in our natural systems. It is a sign of a planet in disharmony. So, there is only one way forward—restoring what is lost to bring back a sense of equilibrium. This is the reason why the theme for Earth Day 2021 is 'Restore Our Earth'. She also stresses that environmental and climate literacy is the foundation for an equitable and sustainable society. It is for this reason that the Earth Day Network has pledged to educate 100 lakh youngsters on environmental issues by 2026 through diverse programmes.

Restore earth

Get Creative to End Plastic Pollution

The third programme embraced by Earth Day 2021 is an attempt to solve a problem we are all guilty of—plastic pollution. Since it is almost impossible to shun plastic entirely, it is imperative that we learn to manage plastic waste effectively. India generates 56 lakh tonnes of plastic waste every year. That is a gigantic number to reckon with. But what makes things worse is that much of this is not recycled and ends in landfills across the country.

The Earth Is Not Ours Alone

A mistake that the development narrative of the 20th century is guilty of is the assumption that 'development' is meant to only better the lives of human beings. But consider this: India is home to over 90,000 species of animals and 45,000 species of plants. Of these, about 10,000 primates, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, spiders, coral, trees, and plants are placed in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Not just this, some are also endemic to this land, meaning they are found only in India. If they are not protected, they will disappear forever from the face of the Earth. While on-ground efforts are being carried out with due diligence, there is also an attempt at education, which takes us back to the first programme under EDN's theme for 2021. Consider this example: While most know the peacock as the national bird of India, the Bengal tiger as the national animal, few are aware that the Gangetic River Dolphin is the national aquatic animal of India. In continuation of EDN's 2019 global campaign #ProtectOurSpecies, the India team continues to work towards creating awareness for the need to protect our natural heritage.

In conclusion, it is important to emphasize that though we celebrate one calendar day as 'Earth Day', it is, in fact, more of a movement to celebrate our planet. It is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Just like the mother–daughter duo who pledged their allegiance to the ideas behind Earth Day, we must do too.

Answer 2

In the current scenario, restoring the earth has become a necessity.

• Earth and its wealth make life possible on the planet. It is impossible to imagine our lives without these resources like sunlight, air, plants, and water.
• All of humanity's actions, motivated by greed and selfishness, have wreaked havoc on the planet and deteriorated it beyond repair. Almost all natural resources have been contaminated.

• However, if the planet is not saved now, it will affect the future. To claim that preserving the environment is a pressing issue is an underestimate.

• When resources are threatened, the existence of living species is put in jeopardy. Thus, we must protect the environment at all costs. This can be initiated as -

1. We must plants more trees, reduce afforestation and also save water. The water bodies must also not be polluted.
2. No-till cultivation and cover cropping are regenerative practices reducing erosion and emissions, resulting in healthier soils.
3. Preserving soil, organic matter, and biodiversity, as well as lowering atmospheric emissions, can combat climate change and promote food security.