prijava
SARAJEVO, April 22 (FENA) - Earth Day in almost every country in the world is celebrated on April 22, and this year is special because we are celebrating its 50th anniversary at a time when the world is also dealing with a coronavirus pandemic.
This event was marked for the first time in 1970 in the United States, wanting to raise awareness about environmental conservation and the impact of human activity on nature. A year before, a US Senator Gaylord Nelson was appalled at the effects of the oil spill off the coast of California and, returning to the US Congress, he fought to declare April 22 as National Earth Day.
The name Earth Day was first used by the mayor of San Francisco in a declaration in 1969 deciding that they celebrate Earth Day on the territory of that city.
Earth Day as a Global Public Awareness Initiative aims to inspire local communities, non-profit environmental organizations, NGOs, educational institutions and other organizations to alert the public to the importance of environmental conservation through various environmental actions.
At the proposal of the Bolivian government in 2009, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed April 22 as International Earth Day.
This date is still of immense international significance, and 2016 was a special one because then, the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change came into force.
This year's theme is climate change and action that should be taken to make the least impact on the environment and humanity.
Earth Day is assigned a different theme or area of focus each year; this year’s theme is Climate Action.
Most years, Earth Day events range from river cleanups to invasive removals. With social distancing in place for many of us this April, Earth Day has gone digital. Virtual events, like environmental lectures and films, will take place on Earth Day.
In June 2103, BiH received the Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change and Low Emission Development for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), prepared in parallel with the Second National Climate Change Report (SNC) of Bosnia and Herzegovina under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) coordination with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The development of the Strategy was supported by UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the UNDP Regional Center in Bratislava, as part of the Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States (EE & CIS) support programs in the formulation and implementation of low-emission development and climate change adaptation strategies, as well as access to mechanisms to finance climate change under the post-2012 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) regime.
In line with that strategy, BiH is taking steps to address climate change, both domestically and internationally. Within BiH, climate change is increasingly viewed as a key strategic issue, especially by local authorities and academia. The vision for the country's development is for Bosnia and Herzegovina to be a sustainable and prosperous 'green economy' by 2025.
When Bosnia and Herzegovina is to join the European Union (EU), it should have low emissions, high quality of life for all, preserved natural ecosystems, sustainable management of natural resources and a high level of resilience to climate change as a Member State.
Increasing levels of energy efficiency, increased use of renewable energy sources and improved energy and transport infrastructure and services will lead to attracting international investment, job creation and business enterprise in an economy based on efficient use of resources.
The negative impacts of climate change should be minimized by reducing the level of sensitivity and taking advantage of the opportunities that climate change brings.
The transition to a 'green economy' will particularly benefit vulnerable and disadvantaged groups by being socially inclusive and by making a positive contribution to gender equality.
This will be achieved through the implementation of the Adaptation Strategy for Climate Change and Low Emission Development for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has two main goals in the areas of climate change and reduction of gas emissions: increasing resilience to climate variability and climate change while ensuring development profit; achieving the highest value and stopping the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 at a level below the EU27 average per capita.
Of course, all of the above should be viewed in the context of a global coronavirus pandemic that has affected the entire world, including Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(FENA) S. R.
