World Earth Day: Planet in peril, hope in renewables

22 April is World Earth Day

By Anshul Sharan

Jamshedpur, Apr 21: Every year, April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day, a global reminder of our responsibility toward the environment. In 2025, the need for action feels more urgent than ever. The world is witnessing increasing ecological destruction—not just from environmental mismanagement, but also from the ongoing impacts of war, climate change and unsustainable energy use.

Conflicts in Ukraine, Russia, Israel and Palestine have gone beyond political and humanitarian crises. They have left deep environmental wounds. Explosions, bombings and military operations are polluting air and water, destroying green cover and accelerating global ecological damage. These conflicts are turning fertile landscapes into barren fields and poisoning water sources, pushing wildlife further toward extinction.

Climate change continues to threaten the planet. Glaciers are melting faster than predicted, sea levels are rising and unpredictable weather patterns are disrupting both natural ecosystems and human lives. Floods, heatwaves, droughts and storms are occurring with greater frequency and intensity. Earth’s ecological balance is teetering on the edge.

This year’s Earth Day theme, ‘Our Power, Our Planet,’ focuses on renewable energy as the solution. It highlights the need to rapidly shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources like solar, wind and hydropower. The global goal is to triple renewable energy production by 2030. Without this transition, the future of the planet—and humanity—remains in serious jeopardy.

Countries around the world are stepping up. The U.S. is investing in clean energy through its Inflation Reduction Act, while China leads in the development of solar and wind power. India has set a bold target: fulfilling half of its energy needs through renewables by 2030. These efforts are building momentum toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Cost is no longer a major barrier. From 2010 to 2020, solar module prices dropped by 93% and the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for solar fell by 85%. Solar energy is now one of the cheapest and most accessible forms of power. This drop in cost is a game-changer, making renewable energy not just environmentally essential but also economically smart.

In addition to environmental benefits, renewable energy promises major public health improvements. Fossil fuel emissions are a leading cause of air pollution, which increases the risk of asthma, heart disease and respiratory illness. Women are particularly vulnerable, with pollution contributing to breast cancer, reproductive disorders and maternal complications. Clean energy can significantly reduce these health risks.

Economically, renewables are a strong growth sector. They are expected to generate millions of jobs, drive innovation in industries like transport and agriculture and attract large-scale investment. By reducing dependence on fossil fuels, renewables can also help mitigate the devastating effects of climate change, such as rising global temperatures, the spread of disease and extreme weather.

India’s progress in this area has been notable. As of March 31, 2025, the country added a record 29.52 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity in a single year. Backed by government incentives and improved technology, India is rapidly moving toward its clean energy goals.

However, some regions still face challenges. Jharkhand, for example, remains heavily dependent on coal. Despite a solar policy set in 2015 aiming to generate 2,650 MW of energy by 2020, the target is still unmet. A new goal of 4,000 MW by 2027 has been set. The state plans to install solar panels across rooftops, agricultural fields and industrial zones. Floating solar projects are also being explored, offering an innovative solution if implemented with proper environmental planning.

Meanwhile, environmental degradation continues at an alarming pace. The Earth’s atmosphere—divided into layers like the troposphere, stratosphere and mesosphere—is undergoing significant disruption. Ozone depletion and shifting pressure systems are altering global weather patterns.

Wildlife is suffering too. Deforestation, pollution and changing climates are destroying habitats, reducing food sources and driving species to extinction. Animals are losing their homes and with every lost species, the ecosystem becomes more fragile.

Earth Day serves as a reminder of our shared duty. It calls on every individual, institution and government to act. This day is not just about planting trees or hosting clean-up drives. It is a movement—a global wake-up call to protect, preserve and heal our only home.

If we act today, with urgency and unity, there is still hope for a greener tomorrow.

(The writer is president of the NGO Yugantar Prakriti. Views expressed are personal.)