Earth Day
Conscience leads to virtue
Together we build a healthy Earth
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze
Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men
Vice President of the Association of World Citizens,
NGO in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and Associated with the UN DPI
President of the Federation of World Peace and Love
April 22, 2024
Distinguished guests, dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, good evening!
"Earth Day" is a global environmental protection initiative aimed at enhancing people's awareness of environmental protection, inspiring empathy towards the Earth, raising awareness of the crises facing the planet, encouraging everyone to take proactive actions to contribute to the survival and vitality of the Earth. It also promotes harmony and mutual benefits from resource sharing and environmental protection.
On Earth Day, every year a specific theme is adopted to rally global citizens’ belief in environmental protection and encourages collective efforts to advance sustainable development goals. The focus of the 54th anniversary commemorations is on "Planet vs. Plastics." Since 2017, the United Nations has defined plastic pollution as a global crisis. It not only poses a serious threat to our living environment and biodiversity but scientific research also indicates that the current level of plastic pollution has far exceeded the Earth's capacity to withstand. As most plastics are non-biodegradable, microplastic particles ultimately infiltrate our food chain, with estimates suggesting that each person consumes between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles per year. Plastic pollution has severely disrupted the Earth's ecological environment and the negative impacts on human health is far beyond estimated.
As the saying goes, "extremes beget reversals." Plastic has brought convenience to human life but has also posed a crisis for the health of the Earth. Currently, the United Nations is actively negotiating the "Global Plastic Treaty" aimed at eliminating waste and pollution by restricting the production and use of plastic. This treaty particularly emphasizes the vital role of breaking the reign of single-use plastics to comprehensively address the issue of plastic pollution and protect the sustainable environment for future generations.
Conscience is the ark that will carry us to a sustainable future. Guided by moral consciousness, we must actively address climate change, prevent species extinction, and fix damaged natural ecosystems. This requires the awakening of conscience in every global citizen, starting from small actions in daily life. Take a quiet moment each day to reflect on oneself, correct wrongdoings, and actively do good deeds. In daily life, reducing the use of plastic and actively using eco-friendly products is essential. Additionally, businesses should also take responsibility by reducing the production of plastic products in every step of the production chain and innovating to introduce packaging solutions based on sustainable materials. As residents of Earth, we should devote our time, resources, and energy to addressing climate change and improving all environmental issues. This is fundamental to the survival and sustainable development of humanity and all living beings. Through collective and unified action, we aim to restore a healthy, happy, and harmonious coexistence for all creatures on Earth.
A healthy Earth requires not only the awakening of conscience in each of us but also our practical efforts. The progress of environmental protection relies on the integration of the elevation of human morality, conscience culture and the fundamental education, as well as the formulation of laws and regulations guided by conscience. It is precisely these small individual actions, through cultivating conscience and social responsibility, gradually accumulating networks of positive energy, that collectively foster harmonious coexistence between us and the natural environment.
The Earth is our shared and only home. Each of us has a responsibility to take positive conscience-based actions to improve the environment and accelerate the repair of the damage we have caused to the Earth in the past. Let us join hands to safeguard all living beings and co-create a healthy planet, forging a safe, harmonious, and sustainable future for ourselves and future generations!
Thank you all!