Emily Dorman
Background
International Mother Earth Day was first established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009. This began at the UN Conference on the Human Environment in 1972 when the international community began prioritizing the environment and increasing their efforts to combat the climate crisis, which then established World Environment Day and created the United Nations Environmental Program. Following the conference the global community made the relationship of humans, species, and habitats a focal point.
In 1992 countries at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit established Sustainable Development Goal 15, which aims to “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.” This SDG was adopted by 178 governments. From then on, international efforts to conserve and rehabilitate our environment strengthened. We continue to foster important conversations and develop solutions through days of observation such as International Mother Earth Day. [1]
What is International Mother Earth Day?
People all over the world are suffering from the extreme repercussions of Climate Change. International Mother Earth Day is a Call to Action from the United Nations in order to become more aware of how the global community is expediting climate change. By observing this holiday, the United Nations aims to cultivate new solutions, promote green alternatives, and put an end to the destruction of our ecosystems through the Harmony With Nature Initiative[2]. This initiative recognizes the international community’s habit of overconsumption and production as the root of the loss of biodiversity, habitat degradation, and extreme environmental changes our planet is currently facing. By fostering a dialogue this initiative works towards sustainable development and creates a more inhabitable earth for all forms of nature.
Every year the United Nations drafts new resolutions and discusses new mechanisms to protect our planet. “For instance, the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (2012), entitled ‘The future we want’ :
‘We recognize that planet Earth and its ecosystems are our home and that “Mother Earth” is a common expression in a number of countries and regions, and we note that some countries recognize the rights of nature in the context of the promotion of sustainable development.’”[3]
This International Mother Earth Day, it is important that we all work towards restoring and preserving our planet by..
- Utilizing sustainable alternatives in our daily routines
- Reflecting on the impacts our actions have on nature and find ways to decrease our carbon footprint
- Brainstorming new ways to promote the rehabilitation of our habitats
- Educating ourselves on the ongoing climate crisis
- Fostering conversations with friends and family
- Spreading awareness on climate issues that are important to you
- Stay up-to-date on global discussions, solutions and initiatives regarding the climate
- Participate in the United Nations #MyClimateAction photo contest! Submit creative photos of how you are taking action to celebrate Mother Earth Day![4]
Click here to learn more.
[1] “International Mother Earth Day.” United Nations. United Nations. Accessed April 9, 2023. https://www.un.org/en/observances/earth-day.
[2] Gaefke, Ricardo. “Harmony with Nature.” Harmony With Nature. Accessed April 9, 2023. http://www.harmonywithnatureun.org/.
[3] Gaefke, Ricardo. Harmony with nature – chronology. Accessed April 9, 2023. http://www.harmonywithnatureun.org/chronology/.
[4] “#Myclimateaction: Show the World What Climate Action Looks Like.” United Nations. United Nations. Accessed April 9, 2023. https://www.un.org/en/actnow/myclimateaction.