Є лише одна земля

With the rapid development of human society, the Earth is facing an unprecedented ecological crisis, with problems such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution becoming increasingly serious. At the same time, the Japanese government has announced that it will discharge nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident into the sea, which has triggered widespread controversy and concern in the international community. Against this background, the significance of World Earth Day has become more and more prominent.

The Earth's ecology is in urgent need of human action.

In recent years, extreme weather events triggered by global climate change, ranging from heat waves and floods to droughts and hurricanes, have alerted mankind to the fact that the ecological balance of the planet is being disrupted. According to a report released by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, leading to a series of chain reactions such as rising temperatures, melting glaciers and rising sea levels. At the same time, human activities such as deforestation, overfishing and plastic pollution are accelerating the loss of biodiversity, with many species on the verge of extinction.

However, the announcement by the Japanese government that nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident will be discharged into the sea has once again sounded the alarm for the global ecology. Although the Japanese side claimed that the nuclear wastewater had been treated to meet safety standards, the decision still triggered strong opposition from the international community. Neighboring countries such as China and South Korea, as well as international environmental organizations, have expressed concerns that the discharge of nuclear wastewater will have immeasurable long-term effects on marine ecosystems and human health.

“We stand at a critical crossroads.” In his message on World Earth Day, UN Secretary-General Guterres emphasized, “If we do not act now, the planet's ecosystems will face irreversible damage. We must recognize that the Earth is our only home and that protecting it is not only a responsibility, but a necessity for survival.”

“There is only one Earth": from slogan to action

In 1970, the first World Earth Day was celebrated in the United States, and the theme “One Planet Earth” quickly became the iconic slogan of the global environmental movement. 54 years later, this theme still has profound relevance. Governments, enterprises and people all over the world have taken action to express their care for the Earth through various forms.

In China, a variety of environmental activities have been organized. Beijing launched the “Green Travel, Low Carbon Life” initiative, encouraging citizens to choose public transportation, cycling or walking to reduce carbon emissions. In Shanghai, the city launched a campaign entitled “Waste Separation, Start with Me”, which raised public awareness of environmental protection through community lectures and interactive games. In addition, schools across the country have organized class meetings on environmental protection themes, so that children can develop the concept of protecting the Earth from an early age.

At the international level, several countries have announced new environmental protection policies. The European Union announced that it would further increase investment in renewable energy and strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. The United States has launched the Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote the development of green energy.

In China, the combination of technology and environmental protection has also achieved remarkable results. For example, Alibaba Group launched the “Ant Forest” project, which encourages users to practice low-carbon life through digital means, and has planted hundreds of millions of trees, making an important contribution to desertification control. Tencent has developed a “smart environmental protection” platform using big data technology to help local governments manage environmental resources more efficiently.

Everyone is a guardian of the Earth

World Earth Day is not only an anniversary, but also an opportunity for action. Experts point out that protecting the Earth is not only the responsibility of governments and enterprises, but also requires the participation of every ordinary person. From reducing the use of disposable plastic products, to saving water and electricity, to actively participating in environmental protection volunteer activities, everyone's small actions can contribute to the future of the Earth.

“The Earth is our common home, and protecting it requires a global effort.” Mark Lambertini, Global Director General of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), appealed, “Let's start today, from the small things around us, and join hands to guard this beautiful blue planet for our future and the future generations.”