In 2025, on April 22, we will celebrate the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. This year’s theme is extremely important because it draws attention to renewable energy sources, which use should triple by 2030. Solar energy, wind energy, water energy, geothermal energy, and tidal energy should be crucial for humanity in moving away from traditional forms of energy from fossil fuels.
Renewable energy sources can improve people’s standard of living, especially when it comes to health. Namely, it has been confirmed that air pollution from the combustion of fossil fuels is linked to heart attacks, respiratory problems and asthma. Given that renewable energy sources contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are mostly caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, it is clear that using these forms of energy mitigates climate change. Climate change, or the climate crisis in which humanity finds itself, is manifested in extreme weather conditions, heat waves and the spread of infectious diseases, as well as in rising air and water temperatures. All ecosystems are threatened by these changes and only healthy and preserved ecosystems will have the best chance of adapting to climate change. The economic benefits of switching to renewable energy sources are also important, both through the creation of new jobs and through the generation of income and investment.
In our Plitvice Lakes National Park, we will mark Earth Day with an educational program “What’s happening to the climate?” with 6th grade elementary school students from the Rakovica, Plitvice Lakes and Korenica area, as in previous years.
Finally, through the main message of this year’s Earth Day, it is very clear that the power of people is the driving force behind every change for the benefit of the entire planet!
For additional information, please check webpage https://www.earthday.org/.
