Every April 22, the entire world is dedicated to celebrating World Earth Day. This date is marked on the calendars each year with the aim of raising awareness among all people of the major problems that our planet suffers such as overpopulation, pollution, climate change and the importance of biodiversity conservation.
The origin of this day dates back to 1970 in the United States, when a massive mobilization took place in favor of Earth conservation based on the idea of Democratic Senator Gaylord Nelson; Since then, greater awareness began to be generated of the major problems that were emerging and how these were putting the planet at risk. That day, the environmental movement was born.
More than 50 years have passed, and all these problems, far from being solved, continue to increase.
The demand for natural resources is increasingly high and continues to grow. Today, we are using the equivalent of 1.6 Earths to maintain our current way of life. It is evident that we cannot continue down this path.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, global temperatures have increased about 1.2 degrees since the pre-industrial era, leading to extreme weather events such as more intense hurricanes, heat waves and prolonged droughts. The world seems on track to surpass, without the possibility of retreat, the 1.5 degree line that had been determined as the limit for global warming in the Paris Agreement. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) points to the 2030s, although it could be even earlier than we think according to some experts.
Biodiversity loss is also an urgent concern. According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biological Diversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), up to 1 million species are at risk of extinction due to human activity, such as deforestation, urbanization and pollution.
Furthermore, air and water pollution represents a threat to human health and the well-being of ecosystems. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution is responsible for 7 million premature deaths each year, while water pollution affects billions of people around the world.
It is urgent
This year, as we reflect on the state of our planet, it will be necessary to recognize that the environmental challenges we face are urgent issues that require immediate action.
The good news is that we still have time to reverse some of these destructive trends if we act with determination and cooperation. Earth Day is also a time to inspire each other and renew our commitment to protecting our planet for future generations.
There are reasons for optimism. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in environmental awareness and actions to address environmental problems. Many countries are setting ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of renewable energy. In addition, civil society and non-governmental organizations are playing a crucial role in pressuring governments and businesses to take stronger measures to protect the environment.
In addition to individual actions and government policies, technological innovation also holds promise for addressing environmental challenges. One of these innovations is cultivated meat, which has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the livestock industry, helping to conserve natural resources and reduce the ecological footprint associated with animal agriculture. While research and testing is still being done to improve the feasibility and scalability of this technology.
With the expectation of reducing up to 45% of energy use, 96% of greenhouse emissions, 99% of land use and up to 96% less of water use, cultivated meat represents an exciting possibility to promote sustainability and care for the planet in the future.
Earth Day reminds us of the importance of caring for our common home and working together to address the environmental challenges we face. At the same time, we must recognize the relevant role that technology and innovation play in this effort; since, without a doubt, innovation will be transformative in the protection and preservation of our planet.
