Protecting Our Planet: A Comprehensive Look at Earth Day and Environmental Changes

Ever wondered what Earth Day is and how it unites countries from all over the world? Well, it is an annual celebration supporting environmental protection held on April 22. Approximately 193 countries globally participate in events that help create awareness of the significance of the environment and how vital it is to protect it for present and future generations. This article dives into factors that affect the environment. It also looks comprehensively at the changes that have taken place in the environment for a decade. Additionally, this article aims to educate individuals on the effects of climate change and how to prevent adverse impacts. It is vital to create ecological awareness as it gears countries towards a more sustainable world by using renewable sources.

Key Changes in the Environment over the Past 10 Years

Climatic changes have caused adverse effects on countries worldwide. Indisputably, most of these changes are attributed to humans. Our daily activities are responsible for the greenhouse effect that has caused global warming. Biodiversity has also been immensely affected by changes in climate. This is because humans are taking up more land for food production. Ultimately, most plants and animals lose their habitat and may be at risk of extinction.

Climate change has brought about more diseases and altered terrestrial and marine ecosystems. That said, urbanization has also impacted the environment. We all want to stay in towns. But we don’t realize just how much this yields harmful consequences. The higher population density in urban areas causes waste mismanagement, poor water and air quality, inadequate water, and high energy consumption. Urbanization goes hand in hand with technological advancements. Even though technology has made it easier for humans to execute tasks, it has also impacted the environment in the following ways;

• There is an increase in air pollution and, thus, higher health hazards

• The higher demand for machines has increased energy consumption, therefore global warming

• Deforestation since most people want to settle in urban areas for easier access to technology

• High radiation generation due to an increase in internet connectivity

And as a result, the role and value of an eco-friendly business, which has minimal or no impact on the environment, has increased.

Important Advances in the Environmental Over the Past 10 Years

Most countries hope to reduce and eliminate their carbon footprint by using renewable sources to generate electricity. Some of these renewable energy sources include;

• Wind

• Solar

• Geothermal

• Biogas and biomass

• Wave and tidal power

Renewable energy sources are a step in the right direction for the following reasons.

1. Energy from renewable sources does not produce greenhouse gas emissions, thus reducing air pollution.

2. They help to diversify the energy supply. Instead of solely relying on imported fuels, you may opt for other environmentally-friendly alternatives.

3. Renewable energy sources enhance economic development by creating installation and manufacturing jobs.

Renewable resources have significantly contributed to sustainable agriculture- a farming alternative centered around renewable and natural resources. Preserving our natural resources is the only way to mitigate risks that come with environmental damage and climate change. For that reason, sustainable agriculture has helped to:

• Maximize profitability for farmers

• Improve environmental stewardship

• Increase productivity and welfare for farmers and their environment. Sustainable agriculture provides short-term yields without causing long-term effects.

Agriculture has developed over the years, which means more waste is emitted into the environment. However, recycling and waste management advances have sought to protect the environment while enhancing agricultural development and energy structure. Below is a list of some of these advances.

• Small-scale recycling utilization has helped small-scale farmers to manage their wastes much better.

• There has been the use of technology to improve industrial production and processes.

• Individuals have a deeper understanding of solid waste management through reliable systems and life cycle management.

Urban Ecology and Its Importance

Urban ecology primarily refers to the analysis of ecosystems. It allows individuals to comprehend the coexistence of ecological processes in the human environment. Urban ecology has significantly contributed to a sustainable environment by studying humans and nature in cities and their coupled relationships. That said, urban ecology has several benefits, as stipulated below;

• Urban ecology promotes the recycling of natural resources in cities

• It subsequently improves food production and human health by reducing miles driven to bring food to the town and reducing air pollution.

• It promotes the diversity of species, thus creating a healthier environment.

• Urban ecology reduces food insecurity through proper resource decisions. It allows individuals to examine environmental decisions’ impact on humans, plants, and animals. Initially, the effect on plants and animals was always overlooked.

Providing solutions centered around protecting the environment is challenging but possible. Successful urban ecology projects have made it easier to address environmental challenges by providing nature-based solutions. Below is a list of some of these projects.

1. Stormwater Wetland Park in China was constructed to create a multifunctional stormwater park from a wetland. It has helped preserve the natural environment through effective drainage systems.

2. Lineal Gran Canal Park in Mexico- this project hoped to enhance environmental regeneration by restoring soil permeability and reforestation. It has increased relative air humidity by about 16%.

3. Rain Garden in Brazil- this project has helped address impermeability issues of the urban landscape. The project used stones, plants, and other elements to treat urban runoff.

4. Green Corridors in Colombia- this project sought to plant trees to reduce urban heat island effects. This project mainly concentrated on areas without green spaces. Green Corridors have helped lower temperatures by 2%.

5. Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in Singapore was constructed to prevent floods and improve water quality. It also helped improve individuals’ mental and physical well-being by connecting them to nature.

Agriculture

Agriculture has developed over the years, which means more waste is emitted into the environment. However, recycling and waste management advances have sought to protect the environment while enhancing agricultural development and energy structure. Below is a list of some of these advances:

• Small-scale recycling utilisation has helped small-scale farmers to manage their wastes much better.
• There has been the use of technology to improve industrial production and processes.
• Individuals have a deeper understanding of solid waste management through reliable systems and life cycle management.

However, even with these advancements, managing waste effectively can be a challenge, especially for large projects or during renovations. In such instances, partnering with a reliable skip hire for efficient waste disposal is crucial.  Skip hire companies provide bins in various sizes to accommodate the volume of waste, and ensure proper segregation and disposal of materials according to local regulations. This contributes significantly to achieving overall waste management goals.

The Intersection of Technology and Ecology

Technology primarily refers to using scientific knowledge to improve input and output processes by changing the human environment. Conversely, ecology studies organisms and their interaction with the environment. There have been several technological advancements that have sought to protect the environment, as listed below.

• Smart household appliances and IoT devices have helped conserve the environment. Such devices have an alarm for excessive energy waste. They also automatically switch off if not in use.

• Technology has made it easier to eliminate waste by sharing data fast and efficiently. In addition, it has provided alternatives that reduce deforestation and wasteful packaging.

• Technology has invented devices that help improve our cognitive and health abilities, like health and fitness apps and digital work management systems.

Currently, most countries are pushing for a sustainable environment by integrating technology. As a result, people have collaborated to develop technology and ecology projects that could potentially change the world. Below are some of these projects.

1. Groasis Waterboxx- Groasis is a planting device that facilitates the growth of crops in deserts. It uses less water and may water plants effectively and germinate seeds.

2. B-Droid- this project has created robotic bees for pollination to improve the natural bee population by allowing robotic bees to carry out pollination tasks effectively.

3. The Green Building Initiative (GBI)- is an international initiative that has helped create sustainable buildings through certification programs that promote environmentally-friendly visions.

4. The Smog Free Project- this project reduces air pollution by cleaning air through ionization.

Conclusion

The information may have been overwhelming and scary to some of you. However, it would be best to realize that using technology, urban ecology, renewable energy sources, and sustainable agriculture may not fix all current environmental issues. However, these ways significantly contribute to a better environment if executed correctly. As an individual hoping to see ecological changes, you can take small strides by choosing energy-efficient appliances and turning off electrical devices when not in use.