Each year, on April 22nd, we mark International Mother Earth Day, a global moment for introspection on our relationship with our home planet. As Australians representing diverse faiths within Religions for Peace Australia, we recognise the urgency of this day in the face of escalating global warming. Our faiths teach us to cherish and steward the earth, making this day especially significant as an interfaith community. This essay delves into the importance and urgency of International Mother Earth Day and its relevance to our diverse faiths and the broader global community.
Each year, on April 22nd, we mark International Mother Earth Day, a global moment for introspection on our relationship with our home planet. As Australians representing diverse faiths within Religions for Peace Australia, we recognise the urgency of this day in the face of escalating global warming. Our faiths teach us to cherish and steward the earth, making this day especially significant as an interfaith community. This essay delves into the importance and urgency of International Mother Earth Day and its relevance to our diverse faiths and the broader global community.
The Significance and Urgency of International Mother Earth Day.
Earth’s temperature has risen rapidly since 1850, reaching 0.36°F per decade since 1982, with 2023 marking the warmest year on record. Carbon dioxide levels hit a historic high of 421 ppm in 2022, contributing significantly to climate change. Deforestation, which causes 20% of global emissions, highlights the urgent need for nature-based solutions, which are currently underfunded.
Humanity’s impact on the environment knows no bounds. Regardless of race, religion, or economic status, the consequences of environmental degradation affect us all. However, it is often marginalized and disadvantaged communities that bear the greatest burden of environmental injustices. Our world faces an existential crisis due to climate change, exacerbated by factors like deforestation, intensified agriculture, and natural resource exploitation.
This year’s theme, “Common Ground: Cultivating Connections Between Our Faith, Our Food, and the Climate,” resonates deeply with our collective consciousness. Our food practices, deeply rooted in our faith traditions, significantly shape our relationship with the Earth and its ecosystems. Through practical solutions informed by our religious teachings, we can address environmental challenges and foster justice within our food systems.
Interfaith and Mother Earth
Interfaith cooperation is crucial to protecting our planet, as it brings together diverse religious perspectives and collective wisdom to address environmental challenges. Across different faith traditions, there is a shared understanding of the importance of stewardship and care for the Earth.
In Judaism, the concept of “Tikkun Olam,” which translates to “repairing the world,” emphasises the responsibility of humans to actively engage in healing and preserving the earth (Psalm 24:1). This idea resonates with Genesis 1:28, which emphasises humanity’s role as stewards of the Earth, tasked with caring for and managing its resources responsibly. Similarly, in the Quran, Surah Ar-Rum (30:41) highlights the consequences of human actions on the environment and calls for reflection and repentance to prevent further harm. Prophet Muhammad emphasised environmental stewardship, stating, “Do not waste water even if you were at a running stream.” These teachings from different faiths underscore a common thread of reverence for the Earth and the importance of responsible stewardship of its resources.
Mother Earth’s Call to Action
Mother Earth is sending us a clear message—nature is suffering. From plastic-filled oceans to extreme weather events, signs of environmental distress are unmistakable. We are amid the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, emphasising the importance of revitalising our damaged ecosystems. Ecosystems support all life on Earth, and their restoration is vital for combating climate change, ending poverty, and preventing mass extinction.
The urgency of our situation is underscored by alarming statistics. Carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere are at their highest in human history. 2023 was the hottest year on record, with global temperatures rising at an appalling rate. Deforestation, responsible for 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, poses a significant threat to our planet’s health. Despite these challenges, nature-based solutions remain vastly underfunded, highlighting the need for collective action.
A Call to Faith-Based Climate Action
As people of faith, we are called to respond to the cries of the earth and its inhabitants. Our religious teachings emphasise stewardship, compassion, and justice—all of which are essential in addressing the climate crisis. Earth Day serves as a reminder of our sacred duty to protect and preserve our planet for future generations.
We urge our fellow Australians and global citizens to join us in this vital mission. Whether through advocacy, community engagement, or lifestyle changes, each of us has a role to play in shaping a more sustainable future. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a healthier planet for all.
Strengthening Global Solidarity and Responsibility
Policy and Funding for Climate Change: Through the adoption of sustainable policies and enhanced climate finance, governments play a crucial role in tackling the climate catastrophe. Governments can lessen the effects of climate change and promote a sustainable future by giving renewable energy expenditures priority, encouraging the use of green technology, and aiding conservation initiatives. The prohibition of bottom trawling in Greece’s protected regions and national maritime parks is an instance of proactive environmental care.
Multigenerational Accountability: Future generations are entrusted to the care of the current generation. Our actions now will have a big influence on the future we leave for our children and grandchildren. It is our responsibility to leave behind a globe devoid of environmental instability and deterioration, one that is not only habitable but also flourishing.
Working Together with Important Parties: Governments and important stakeholders must work together to effectively address climate change. Governments may use the combined knowledge and resources of corporations, civil society, and indigenous people to execute significant solutions by forming partnerships with these entities. Working together makes climate initiatives more effective and guarantees a more inclusive strategy for dealing with environmental issues.
Participation in the Community and Advocacy: Every person can make a difference in combating climate change. Advocacy and public participation are vital, even though activists have a significant role in bringing change. It is our collective responsibility to speak out against climate change and demand action. We can effect real change on a global scale by pushing for laws that put sustainability first and holding companies and governments responsible.
Conclusion
Let us heed the appeal of our faith traditions and collaborate to protect our world on this International Mother Earth Day. We can build links between our climate, our food, and our faith to create a more equitable and sustainable world. Let us celebrate this day with deeds that demonstrate our dedication to climate justice and Earth preservation, not simply with words. In the words of Bhai Vir Singh, “Let us come together and live in harmony with nature, for in doing so, we honour the divine within ourselves.” When we work together, we may have a significant influence and open the door to a better future.
You may join the Religions for Peace Earth Day Webinar
Earth Day 2024: Love and Respect for the Earth: Furthering Multireligious, Multisectoral & Intergenerational Collaboration to Address the Climate Crisis
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References
EcoWatch. (2024, April 18). From Cleanups to Concerts, EcoWatch’s Guide to Earth Day 2024:Planet vs. Plastics is the theme of the 54th annual Earth Day. Retrieved from https://www.ecowatch.com/earth-day-2024-guide-ecowatch.html
Interfaith Power & Light. (2024). Faith Climate Action Week: 2024 Common Ground: Cultivating Connections between our Faith, our Food, and our Climate. Retrieved from https://interfaithpowerandlight.org/faithclimateactionweek/organizerkits/
MI News Network. (2024, April 17). Greece becomes 1st European nation to ban bottom trawling in marine parks & protected areas. Marine Insight. Retrieved from https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/greece-becomes-1st-european-nation-to-ban-bottom-trawling-in-marine-parks-protected-areas/
United Nations. (n.d.). UN ACT NOW: Speak Up for Our Common Future. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/actnow/speakup
United Nations. (n.d.). UN International Mother Earth Day 22 April: When Mother Earth sends us a message. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/observances/earth-day
