This year's Earth Day is special. Here's why.
Two thousand fifteen is the year of the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris this December. The objective of the conference (and the hope of many people across the world)? To reach a legally-binding and universal agreement on climate - from all nations of the world. A Montreal Protocol for climate change if you will. My fingers are crossed.
The other reason this year's Earth Day is so special is because 2015 is our deadline for achieving the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals. These international development goals were established in the year 2000 and include ensuring environmental sustainability, eradicating extreme poverty, and reducing child mortality, among five others.
It has been 45 years since the first Earth Day back in 1970. We've made good progress on many fronts, but there is still plenty of work to do. In the words of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
"But the big decisions that lie ahead are not just for world leaders and policy-makers. Today, on Mother Earth Day, I ask each one of us to be mindful of the impacts our choices have on this planet, and what those impacts will mean for future generations."
Keep these words in mind as you celebrate this Earth Day.