“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it
from our children.”
Around
4 billion years ago, simple organic molecules began to form under the blanket
of hydrogen, which eventually linked up to form RNA, and life became part of a
beautiful planet called Earth. Gradually, geological processes reshaped the
face of the Earth, and today, we are where we are. We were lucky enough to
receive a healthy Earth from the previous generation. We were privileged enough
to be able to enjoy all the benefits that this planet had to offer. And now, it
is our responsibility to ensure that we do not fail to deliver the same.
Nelson
Mandela started Earth Day after seeing the environmental damage of an oil spill
in Santa Barbara, California in 1969. Inspired by student anti-Vietnam War
protests, he organized a national “teach-in” on college campuses that
focused on educating the public about the environment. The first Earth Day
marked a monumental change and brought Earth to everybody’s agenda. And this
year, we celebrate the world’s 53rd Earth Day. Climate issues still continue,
and so do our efforts to make a difference.
Sony
BBC Earth delivered an eye-opening message on this earth day. They made 3 short
animated films that hit home for everybody at the very first watch. The
campaign uses dark humour to convey the sad reality of this planet. How polar
bears swim so far in search of glaciers, a funeral deep underwater, and an
elephant talking to us from the camera of a wildlife photographer, form the
premises of these films.
Our
choices have withered away the lives of way too many innocents. Lives that are
just as important as ours. The habitats of so many are vanishing under the
weight of our actions. Every plastic bottle that we see floating on the ocean
tells us a story of suffering that has been silenced many feet below the
surface of the earth.
-Darshini Shah
