“Earth is not a gift from our parents, it is a loan from our children.”
Dr. N. Munal Meitei,
Environmentalist, presently working as DFO/Chandel;
email- nmunall@yahoo.in
World Sustainability Day is celebrated on 22nd, the fourth Wednesday of October as a crucial reminder for our collective responsibility to protect the planet and promote sustainable practices for environmental protection and climate action. It’s a day to reflect on how human activities impact the Earth and take steps to secure a sustainable future.
Today, human activity is disrupting ecosystems at an alarming rate. Hundreds of species are driven to extinction due to habitat destruction, climate change and overexploitation. The depletion of natural resources and the effects of climate change are clear for all to see- rising temperatures, melting ice caps and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent.
The overwhelming scientific evidence backing today’s sustainability crisis contrasts sharply with earlier predictions. Human activity is pushing the planet’s ecological systems to their limits. Immediate and coordinated global action is necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect biodiversity.
To take part, we need to reduce our daily carbon footprint by adopting sustainable habits and educate ourself and others about the global challenges and also get involved in local sustainability efforts to protect the environment.
Sustainability is more than just a word- it’s a necessity for the future of our planet. By working together, we can create a world where human progress and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. The concept of sustainability is not new. Throughout history, civilizations have collapsed due to environmental mismanagement. Ancient societies like the Egyptians, Sumerians, Indus, Harappans, Mayans and Polynesians failed to balance human progress with the health of their environments. They overexploited their natural resources, leading to collapse. These warnings remind us that sustainability isn’t just a modern concept but a necessity for long-term survival.
Sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This day is an opportunity to educate staffs, students, youths and consumers about eco-conscious practices like reduce office waste, switch to green habits, reduce, reuse, recycle and local conservation efforts.
Individuals can also celebrate the day- by planting trees, biking instead of driving, carpooling, buying local produce, or even hosting a clothing swap to reduce fast fashion waste. The point is small but a meaningful big step that contribute to more sustainable future.
Sustainability is not only about ecological products and behavior, but also about a healthy planet, thriving economy and well-being of people. Sustainability is a green price tags of environmentally friendly and green economy. While mentioned of eco-friendly, the first obstructions of present day are the plastics and hence need to act now.
Sustainability is essential for addressing global challenges. We also can share facts about the environmental challenges with our friends, businesses and groups with stories of successful sustainability initiatives around the world.
The last decade was the hottest in 125,000 years and 2024 was the hottest year of the century. Two thirds of extreme weather events in the last 20 years were influenced by humans. And this is just scratching the surface. Ultimately, experts believe that climate change could be irreversible by 2030.
Our planet is running out of resources, but populations are continuing to grow. If the global population reaches 9.8 billion by 2050, the equivalent of almost three planets will be required to provide the natural resources needed to sustain current lifestyles.
Food waste is another sign of over consumption and tackling food loss is urgent and requires dedicated policies with technologies, infrastructure, education and monitoring. A staggering 931 million tons of food is wasted a year, despite a huge 815 million of the world population going beds on hungry.
India ranks 99th in sustainability index out of 167 countries with a score of 67. This is an improvement from its 109th place in 2024. Based on the NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index 2023–24, Manipur has shown notable progress, though with some areas needing more attention. The state was one of the top-performing states, increasing its overall SDG score by 8 points between the 2020–21 and 2023–24. Among the North-Eastern states, 75% of Manipur’s districts were categorized as “Front Runners”. The state has performed particularly well in the following areas: clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) and sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). In peace, justice, and strong institutions also Manipur top nationally in 2025 for the goal (SDG 16).
The conversation regarding climate change will be ever-present, as should our endeavor to effect it positively. As the world grapples with pressing challenges such as climate change, pollution and resource depletion, this day serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need to protect our plant.
In one day can’t solve every environmental challenge. This day is a chance to reconnect with nature, reconsider daily habits and commit to building a greener world- not just for ourselves, but for the future generation to come.
