Earth Day has been marked on 22 April every year since it began in 1970. The international event has become the largest single day protest in human history and is a reminder to protect the environment and tackle climate crisis around the world.

As the climate emergency deepens, each successive Earth Day takes on a greater urgency in the fight against the global crisis.

The theme of this year’s Earth Day is “Invest in our Planet”.

Climate change is occurring at an alarming rate and has many broad-reaching impacts on human health, the economy, and the stability of the natural environment.

We need to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions to keep the global temperature below 1,5°C. While the focus has primarily been on reducing fossil fuel dependency, there is no viable route to limiting global warming and building resilience without urgently protecting, managing, and restoring nature.

The Labour Group wish everyone a happy Earth Day, and encourage everyone to mark the occasion by redoubling efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and join the fight against the climate crisis.

Labour’s spokesperson for environment, transport and sustainability, Councillor Gary Wilkinson says:

“This is the moment to change it all — the business climate, the political climate, and how we take action on climate. Now is the time for unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, our livelihoods… And while there is still time to solve the climate crisis, time to choose BOTH a prosperous and sustainable future, and time to restore nature and build a healthy planet for our children and their children.

A healthy planet is not an option, it’s a necessity. It’s the only home we have.

Together, we must Invest In Our Planet.”

Photo credit: Creative Commons