EDITORIAL - World Earth Day

Nearly three decades after a special day was dedicated to the protection of the Earth, people are more than ever aware of the hazards faced by the planet. Horrific natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, massive flooding and mudslides have been blamed on factors with man-made causes such as global warming and indiscriminate logging. Irresponsible mining operations have led to some of the worst environmental disasters.

Coral reefs are disappearing, aggravating the depletion of the global fish catch because of overfishing and marine pollution. In urban centers, air pollution has raised the cost of public health care. Natural habitats are disappearing, lengthening the list of endangered or extinct species. Food supplies are threatened as ecosystems are disrupted.

Public awareness of environmental hazards has also raised awareness of what can be done to address the threats. The world knows that it can’t go on with business as usual. Some of the biggest companies are leading the way, investing in environment-friendly technology and promoting the use of green fuel.

Balancing corporate and social responsibility with development needs can be a delicate task. The world cannot stop consuming minerals and forest products and will remain dependent on fossil fuels for some time. Developing countries such as China and India rely on cheap but dirty fuel such as coal to power their economic surge and ease poverty. Even affluent countries where public awareness of environmental hazards is highest are counting the costs and know that turning green is going to be a long, tortuous process.

Governments, private corporations and concerned groups are aiming for sustainable exploitation of natural resources. Nations are increasingly turning to alternative sources of fuel such as natural gas, geothermal, solar and wind power to cut their dependence on crude oil. Progress has been made in protecting the environment in the past decades, but many threats remain and new hazards keep coming to light. On World Earth Day, the challenges of saving the planet are as daunting as ever.