The Earth's wake-up call

The Earth as we know today, has been called many names throughout history - Tellus, Gaia, and Terra - each reflecting cultural reverence for the planet. These names reflect the diverse cultural and mythological backgrounds of different societies.

Earth is not just a beautiful planet; it is the only one known to sustain life. We live here, we breathe here, and we lay the foundation for a healthy life. When we damage the Earth’s environment, we actually damage our own health. Our reckless actions invite many disasters, such as cyclones, earthquakes, droughts, and floods.

We often act as if the land belongs solely to us, forgetting that every living being shares this planet. We do whatever we want with the land. We forget that the earth is not just ours, it belongs to every living being. Plants, animals, water, air, and even the desert have every right to this land. Every part of the Earth has a right to exist. However, rapid industrialisation is not only damaging the planet but also violating these rights.

Before 1970, industrial pollution was largely unregulated. Factories could release toxic smoke into the air and dump hazardous waste into rivers without legal consequences. Concerned about the devastating impact of such activities, US Senator Gaylord Nelson raised his voice against environmental destruction and initiated a wave of environmental activism.

His efforts led to the establishment of Earth Day, marking the beginning of a global environmental movement. “Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures,” declared Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth day.

Celebrated annually on April 22, Earth Day commemorates the birth of modern environmental activism. Over the past five decades, it has mobilised millions worldwide to take action against environmental degradation. The movement continues to inspire individuals, communities, and policymakers to prioritise the protection of our planet’s natural resources. The 55th anniversary of Earth Day carries the powerful theme ‘Our Power, Our Planet’. This theme underscores the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy for a sustainable future.

A crisis that needs urgent action

Pakistan faces an overwhelming number of environmental challenges that are growing in scale and severity. From air and water pollution to the far-reaching impacts of climate change, including recurring heat waves and devastating floods, the nation is struggling to cope. These environmental issues are further intensified by the rapid pace of population growth and industrialisation.

As a climate activist, I have actively participated in a number of initiatives aimed at environmental restoration. These include beach clean-ups, tree plantation drives, and policy advocacy for clean energy solutions. My recommendation is clear, Pakistan must implement strong policies to ensure the provision of clean and affordable energy to its people. Currently, power generation accounts for 27 per cent of global emissions, largely due to the continued use of fossil fuels - coal, oil, and gas.

To meet international climate targets and avoid catastrophic global heating, it is essential that electricity production not only becomes cleaner but also significantly more abundant. This is because clean electricity can help decarbonise other major sectors, such as transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture. In this global context, renewable and clean energy have become the central focus of climate mitigation strategies.

Mr Hussain, CEO of Indus Consortium, strongly supports this transition. “By shifting to renewable energy sources, we will be able to use clean energy, which is not only affordable but also environmentally friendly,” he says. He adds that most importantly, this transition will significantly “help reduce greenhouse gas emissions”. As a result, environmental risks such as pollution and resource depletion will also decline.

At this critical juncture, we must take active steps to promote renewable energy and shift our electricity generation towards cleaner alternatives.

The country’s current energy mix tells a troubling story. Presently, only 28 per cent of our electricity comes from hydropower, and a mere 5 per cent is contributed by renewable energy. Apart from a small share from nuclear power, the remainder of our electricity supply is still heavily dependent on natural gas, imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), and coal - both imported and local. These energy sources not only harm the environment but also place a significant economic burden on the country.

In contrast, the main sources of renewable energy, including solar power, wind energy, and small-scale hydropower, present enormous benefits. First, they provide clean energy. Second, they reduce our dependence on imported fuels, thereby lowering the economic strain. Lastly, they promote long-term energy security by harnessing local and indigenous resources. Transitioning away from fossil fuels will also help us resolve the chronic issue of circular debt in the energy sector.

With policy and practice

Dr Shafqat Munir Ahmed, Deputy Executive Director at the Resilience Development Programme & Policy Outreach, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), urges people to align their actions with the Earth Day theme. “Let us pledge that we will consume less fossil fuel-fired energy at home and in workplaces and reduce our reliance on non-renewable resources,” he stresses.

He further notes the importance of “restoring ecosystems through sustainable energy solutions,” and appeals for a collective commitment, “Let’s extend our love to our planet as it continues to serve us in various ways. Climate change is now visible as we keep harming the planet through unsustainable consumption and the production of energy from fossil fuels.” Dr Munir advocates for “nature-based solutions to empower our planet” and calls for a transition back to renewable energy. He also references the global agreements such as the Paris Agreement (COP21) and COP26, which are pushing nations towards cleaner energy policies.

Disaster Management Professional Imdad Hussain Siddique underscores the significance of Earth Day as a symbol of urgency. “There are many environmental and climate-related days observed worldwide, but few hold such significant importance,” he points out. “Our future and the security of natural resources depend on them.”

He further asserts that “Earth Day signifies a crucial opportunity for all of us to reflect on the state of our planet and take urgent actions to protect it.” This includes “tangible efforts in combating climate change, which is a pressing challenge for the Earth and all living beings,” he adds.

Pakistan’s environmental crisis calls for a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach. As a developing country, it grapples with both economic and ecological constraints, which make climate action more complex yet even more essential. Key challenges include greenhouse gas emissions, water scarcity, hydro-meteorological disasters, deforestation, air pollution, waste management, and biodiversity loss.

Some urgent and actionable solutions include conserving water to combat scarcity and mitigate the effects of droughts, promoting afforestation and tree plantation to address deforestation and improve air quality, and adopting cleaner technologies alongside renewable energy sources to reduce harmful emissions. Additionally, enhancing disaster risk management is crucial to better prepare for climate-related shocks. Equally important are improving waste management systems - particularly in controlling plastic use and encouraging recycling - and prioritising wildlife protection and resilient agricultural practices to safeguard biodiversity. An inclusive strategy combining policy reform, grassroots engagement, and international cooperation is essential for meaningful, sustainable impact.

Protecting the power of our planet

Government institutions, NGOs, UN bodies, civil society, and individuals must act collectively and consistently beyond symbolic events like Earth Day. Water conservation, large-scale afforestation, improved energy efficiency, and community climate education must become part of our daily practices.

There is also a pressing need for robust legal frameworks to regulate critical areas such as water management and solid waste disposal. These frameworks must also ensure effective policy implementation, particularly in the realm of renewable energy. Moreover, industries should be mandated to conduct environmental audits and transparently report on their carbon emissions and water usage. In addition, it is essential to align corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote accountability and long-term environmental sustainability.

The industrial revolutions may have driven progress, but they have come at the cost of ecological degradation. However, clean and renewable energy - such as wind and solar - which have been used for centuries, remain the most reliable, safe, and sustainable options for the future.

Encouragingly, the world is moving in the right direction. In 2024 alone, a record 585 billion watts of new clean electricity were added worldwide. Governments, corporations, and climate activists are uniting to decarbonise economies. The scale of clean energy investment proves that this transition is not only environmentally necessary but also economically feasible.

A global commitment to phase out fossil fuels and prioritise renewable energy is non-negotiable. Achieving this requires bold policy actions, sustained technological innovation, and widespread grassroots advocacy. Without collective action, we risk leaving behind an uninhabitable planet.

Additionally, the ‘Clean Energy Movement’ is gaining momentum as countries race to reduce their emissions and commit to a sustainable energy future. The movement promotes a shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy, aiming to curb climate change, ensure environmental sustainability, and foster a just and equitable transition for all nations.

Author and philanthropist Bill Gates, in his book ‘How to Avoid a Climate Disaster’ presents a clear roadmap for reaching net-zero emissions. Gates highlights the urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions from 51 billion tons annually to zero by 2050. This, he says, will require systemic transformation in how the world produces electricity, manufactures goods, and grows food.

Gates also introduces the concept of the Green Premium - the extra cost of choosing clean energy over fossil fuels. To make clean energy widely accessible, “we must lower the Green Premium through innovation, policy reforms, and scaling up clean technologies,” he emphasises. He points out that electricity is the “backbone of decarbonisation,” because if we clean up power generation, we can drastically reduce emissions across other sectors.

As Bill Gates aptly puts it, “We need an energy miracle. The way to find one is to fund research and development, to test out thousands of ideas, and to throw out the ones that don’t work.”

After damaging Earth’s environment, we are now searching for life on another planet. But if we continue our destructive industrialisation, we will ruin that environment too. If we continue this destruction, planet after planet, where will we go? This is the harsh question we must face. Let’s use Earth Day 2025 as an opportunity to redefine our energy choices and commit to sustaining our planet for generations to come. Our power lies in our planet - let’s protect it

There will be no magic to save the earth. But yes our commitment will save. This earth day will need our commitment to save earth by our individual actions

Earth Day isn’t just about one day of activism; it’s about developing habits that contribute to a healthier planet.

The writer is a development professional. She can be reached at quratmudasar@gmail.com