EARTH DAY - MOTHER EARTH DAY

On April 22, we celebrated the annual EARTH DAY: Around the world, a billion people reflect on the state of our planet, with this year’s theme being: OUR POWER, OUR PLANET — a message that goes beyond symbolism.

ORIGINS

It all began long ago, in 1970, when an U.S. senator, Gaylord Nelson, had enough of environmental pollution being ignored by the politicians—and succeeded in having April 22 declared NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL DAY. The response was massive—twenty million Americans took to the streets—one of the largest protest movements in American history. 
This bold initiative soon led in the U.S. to the establishment of the EPA — the Environmental Protection Agency—, as well as to laws regarding air and water quality.

WORLDWIDE

This day grew into a global phenomenon. 
In 2009, the UN officially recognized April 22 as International Mother Earth Day. That was a more beautiful title, one that also resonates with affection and commitment.

Today, more than 190 countries participate, and an estimated one billion people take part in activities, demonstrations, and initiatives.



THE THEME

This year’s theme:  OUR POWER, OUR PLANET proclaims that the well-being of our Earth does not depend on the government in power, but is actually, much more than we realize, determined by the choices we, ordinary people, make wherever we make choices: at home, in schools, clubs, businesses, factories, offices, on the street, in our gardens, in grocery and clothing stores — yes, basically everywhere! This is because everything is so deeply interconnected and influences one another, even if you don’t see it right away. It therefore requires not only deeper insight but also a strong conviction that every effort bears fruit. 

NUMBERS AND TECHNOLOGY

We often get tired of all the numbers pouring over us — rising temperatures, faster melting ice, satellite images of poisoned ocean, threatened biodiversity, percentages of this and that. It all seems very scholarly and technical. It’s tempting to think that it is all science and technology . And the other temptation: politics, the government, big corporations — they’re the ones who should really be doing it. 

POLITICS

Sometimes I think: yes, if only we could leave it to our government—that would be easy. But politicians are ordinary people like we, elected by us and also susceptible to influence. When we clearly speak up, react to decissions taken or express our opinions through our actions, we have more influence than we realize, particularly through our ways of purchasing and spending.  There are plenty of examples of how stores and companies adapt to the wishes and tastes of the public. This applies not only to food, clothing, transportation, travel, heating, and the like, but also to the choice and use of environmentally sensitive materials, such as paper, plastic, wood, and batteries—not to mention reusing items instead of throwing them away.
There is, everywhere, a great deal of goodwill and concern and if you look closely, you’ll see that a “trend” quickly resonates “upward”! That may encourage us and give us confidence in further changes.

INSIGHT AND REFLECTION

All of this is very concrete: doing or not doing things, making practical choices, raising your voice, and so on.
What could and should get much more attention is the influence of the less “tangible”, such as our way of thinking and speaking about these matters, the choice of what we do read and what we 'skip', the choice of TV programmes and the items in other media to which we offer our time and attention. 
All media in fact take a stance, emphasize certain values, make conscious choices and have a major influence on our thoughts and feelings—and thus on our actions.

It is true: it takes some extra effort to read an article all the way through and not just the headline, to search the newspaper or TV guide for examples of positive news and developments or challenging examples of people who are taking courageous initiatives or who, despite resistance, continue to believe in a good cause. However, that effort is often rewarded with greater understanding of situations, motivations and backgrounds, it modifies your judgment and - what is most important - it gives you new ideas and courage to continue involving yourself in a good practice and/or to persevere with it.

JOINING FORCES WITH MANY OTHERS

I am deeply convinced of the good will and the desire of countless people for a good and healthy society and natural environment. They give shape to that desire  by simple and unpretentious dedication, first and foremost in ordinary daily life. 
But, we all know, reality is often stubborn and resisting, and that's why we need the support of each other in continued care for Mother Earth. People meet and cooperate in dozens, indeed hundreds, of groups and organizations to make their commitment even more meaningful and effective - and in order not to loose heart when the going gets tough.

Let me therefore conclude with an encouraging example of these days.

THE COALITION OF THE WILLING

Last year, the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) took place in Belém, a major city in Brazil’s Amazon region. There happened certainly a great deal of solidarity and encouragement, but the greatest frustration for many was that the major oil-producing countries simply blocked any real change regarding the matter of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal).

This frustration had a good effect:
“We won’t stand for this anymore!” said a number of countries, and Colombia, assisted by The Netherlands, took the initiative to start a group of like-minded nations. Since then, that group has grown to include today already more than fifty countries.

From April 24 to 29, this year, these countries (scientists, politicians, economist, etc. ) gathered in the Colombian city of Santa Marta, not to draft nice-sounding statements, but to encourage and help one another, to share knowledge and experiences in scientific, economic, technical, and other fields, and foster cooperation: TRANSITIONING AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS.

The participants, however, are not naive. They realize that the largest producers and/or polluters— most of all the United States and further including China, India, Saudi Arabia, to mention the most important —are not present.
But other medium-sized and large countries are present, including Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Angola, Nigeria, Australia and also the European Community is represented. They believe in effective cooperation, in setting an helpful and ancouraging example by making clear choices. First and foremost, by mutual support through agreements and measures. At the same time inviting more countries, because the urgency of limiting and increasingly replacing fossil fuels is very great. The recent war between the US and Iran gives extra impetus to all these efforts. Perhaps a blessing in disguise ...

EARTH DAY, MOTHER EARTH DAY.

Clearly, it is not about a single day ! It is about passionate, practical, and grateful commitment to Mother Earth, to people, animals, plants, and everything which a loving Creator so generously has given and entrusted to us.
Let us keep courage, without panic, reflecting, praying and acting with trust and determination. The good Spirit is working throught all the ups and downs. We are not alone. 

Johan Muijtjens
Maastricht, May 2026



I welcome your reactions.
Please use my email: j.muijtjens@debeyart.net
Thank you.