Authors: Ivana Ristova & Trajce Nikolov
(originally published on 22 April 2020 on NikolovConsulting.com)
This day marks 50 years of celebrating this important day. It is undoubtedly one of the most pressing and debated issues of our generation. Today, instead of celebrating, we want to pause and ask – why? Why is this day important and why should we care?
Scientists all over the world continue to issue renewed warnings:
“Climate change is among the greatest health risks of the twenty-first century. Rising temperatures and more extreme weather events cost lives directly, increase transmission and spread of infectious diseases, and undermine the environmental determinants of health, including clean air and water, and sufficient food.”
Instead of arguing the issue of climate change today, we want to instead focus on the treatment of our planet. Whether you believe Climate Change is man-made and is causing significant risk to the planet, or that Climate Change is a natural cycle of our World, we can all agree that this planet we live on is simply our own home. It is, and will likely stay, our only home for the foreseeable future. We are also, as we see in these hectic times, incredibly dependent on the wellbeing of our planet for all of the necessities for human existence, from the air we breathe to the soil that gives us the food we need to survive. Interestingly enough, and unpopularly, the last few weeks have shown the Planet is certainly not dependent on us.
So, let’s dive into a few questions on why the treatment of our planet is so incredibly important.
Who owns the earth?
Central to the whole debate of climate change action is who will it impact, and by extension, who must act upon it. By far, one of the best answers to this question that we have across is the one that states: “We do not own the environment, but instead, borrow it from our children, who borrow it from their children.”
Taking this long-term perspective, which expertly side-steps any boundaries on politics and/or national interests, it becomes quite clear that it is not a question of ownership we must debate, but rather care. As such we come to a new question:
“Have you taken good care of the environment you borrowed from your future children?”
What if Climate Change isn’t real?
Before we answer that, let us share a clear bias: we do not believe our generation is currently treating our planet very well.
So, then we ask. Why should treating our planet well depend on it being in a dire risk? It is like suggesting that it is okay to cause small fires in our house and don’t really need to worry until the structure becomes unstable.
By treating our planet well, we are simply taking care of our home – the one that will give us (and our children) a better, healthier, and longer life.
This is the responsibility of Government, not us, right?
Wrong. It is certainly true that Governments need to take a significant step in leading the charge for a more sustainable treatment of our Planet, but, as with many things, change starts at home.
But what can one person do? How can one individual positively impact a phenomena that stretches across the globe and beyond? Climate change is scientific. It includes ozone layers and gas-exchanges and carbon-equivalents that an average lay-person has little control over. So, what can you do?
The answer? Lead by example.
Spreading awareness is always the best thing one can do, but it goes beyond that. Each one of us can undertake changes in our behaviour and the way we interact with our Planet that both improves our environment, as well as inspires people to follow suit.
We are proving you with easy solutions that you can start implementing today and can help us improve the quality of life.
This Earth Day let’s not debate whether or not climate change is real, but rather agree that our treatment of the Planet will undoubtedly create a better life for us and our children. Together, we can make miracles come true.
Happy Earth Day and cheers for healthier and more sustainable future for all.