1483. International Mother Earth Day

Today, Mother Earth is clearly calling on us to take action. The natural environment is under severe stress. Oceans are filling with plastic and becoming more acidic, while extreme heat, wildfires, and floods are threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of people around the world.

Behind these developments lie not only climate change but also excessive human impacts on nature. Activities that disrupt biodiversity—such as deforestation, land-use change, intensified agriculture and livestock production, and the illegal wildlife trade—are accelerating the degradation of the planet.

That is why there is an urgent need to restore ecosystems that are being lost or damaged. Ecosystems are the foundation that sustains all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet and its people will be. Restoring degraded ecosystems can contribute to reducing poverty, addressing climate change, and preventing mass extinction. However, success will only be possible if every individual plays a part.

On International Mother Earth Day, we should reaffirm more than ever the need to shift toward a sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet. We are called upon to promote harmony with nature and to take part in global efforts to restore the Earth.

Facts Highlighting the State of the Planet

• The planet loses approximately 10 million hectares of forest every year, an area larger than Iceland.
• Healthy ecosystems help protect us from diseases, as greater biological diversity makes it more difficult for pathogens to spread rapidly.
• It is estimated that around one million species of plants and animals are currently threatened with extinction.

Small actions taken in our daily lives to reduce environmental impacts can help protect the Earth. By rethinking how we use energy, travel, and choose our food, each of us can take a meaningful step for Mother Earth.

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki, Strategic Coordination Office