The World Earth Day on April 22, since its inception in 1970, has grown into a global movement, raising awareness about pressing ecological issues. From climate change to biodiversity loss, the Earth Day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard the planet for future generations. It inspires action, education and advocacy for a healthier, more sustainable Earth.

Anthropogenic activities are the primary causes of the warming up of planet Earth, climate change, weather aberrations and such other miseries. The 'dangerous heat wave index' has gone up in a greater pace. Heat waves in India are 30 times more likely than they would be without climate change. Forest fire throughout the world has increased enormously in proportion. In Similipal, a forest of dense canopy, forest fire is menacing. The water storage capacity in 150 major reservoirs in India has been reduced by 31 per cent.

Founded by American Senator Gaylord Nelson in the form of environmental education, the Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970.

This year, the Earth Day celebration is centred around the theme ‘Planet vs. Plastics’. Plastic is a new-generation product. Plastic is non-biodegradable. The plastic is one of the biggest sources of environmental pollution. Micro-plastic is now a critical health hazard problem. The theme aims to raise awareness of the harms of plastic pollution for human and planetary health.

Micro-plastic flows through our blood stream, adheres to our internal organs and carries with it heavy metals known to cause cancer and disease.

Now, this once-thought amazing and useful product has become something else and our health and that of all other living creatures hangs in the balance.

Plastics extend beyond an imminent environmental issue; they present a grave threat to human health as alarming as climate change.

Plastic production now has grown to more than 380 million tonnes per year. All this plastic is produced by a petrochemical industry with an abysmal record of toxic emissions, spills and explosions.

"Say No to plastic. Stop the pollution. Be part of the solution."

(Dr Patro is president, Orissa Environmental Society)