Islamabad, 22 April 2022 (TDI): On April 22nd, the International Community observes Earth Day as it commemorates the beginning of the modern environmental movement in the United States in 1970. This year it is commemorated globally under the slogan “Together We Must Invest in Our Planet.”
Earth Day started to be celebrated in 1970. There were two reasons for the start of the celebration of Earth Day. The first one was a senator of the US who organized a national demonstration to raise awareness about environmental issues. Later there were rallies throughout the territory
Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestseller “Silent Spring” in 1962 sparked this environmental movement by raising environmental awareness among US citizens. Silent Spring also brought environmental concerns and climate change into the spotlight.
Soon after, the international community understood that climate change is one of the most critical crises facing the planet; and pledged to meet Sustainable Development Goal-13 (SDG-13) to tackle climate change’s dangers.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE IPCC AND COP
In this context, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) started operations in 1988, leading to the establishment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992 and its extending institution, the Koyoto Protocol, which the organizations consider as a game-changer in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) established the Conference of Parties (COP) to carry out its mandate; which resulted in the formation of the Paris Climate Agreement. Around 196 countries negotiated the Paris Climate Agreement in COP-21, in 2015.
Pakistan will commemorate World Earth Day on Friday with a renewed vow to emphasize the importance of the protection of nature. The country also renewed its vow toward investment in ecological uplift and development for the sake of mankind.
During the day, the organizations motivate civil societies to respect and maintain the environment; to keep it clean and free of the negative effects of human activity. Many symposiums, awareness walks, webinars, painting contests; and also there are other activities.
These activities have the aim to raise awareness of important environmental issues such as air pollution, industrial destruction, habitat loss, global warming; and also others.
Moreover, at 4:30 p.m., the volunteers organized a clean-up effort at Trail-2 of the Margalla Hills National Park.
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