World Earth Day - Earth Day 2024

The Earth Day is celebrated on 22 April each year and is a key moment to reflect on the impact of our actions on the environment in which we live. This day mobilises individuals, communities, governments and businesses around the world and aims to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding the biodiversity of our planet. Earth Day reminds us that every choice, big or small, can have a significant impact on planet Earth. It is an opportunity to educate and encourage greater environmental responsibility, both in the everyday choices of individuals and in the long-term strategies of companies. Through events, workshops and information campaigns, this day aims to create collective awareness leading to concrete actions, reinforcing the concept that environmental protection must be integrated into every aspect of society, from economic policy to education, from industry to personal consumption.

Earth Day was established on 22 April 1970, when twenty million Americans, led by environmental activist and US Senator Gaylord Nelson, took to the streets to demonstrate against industrial pollution, the loss of biodiversity and other environmental issues. On the first World Earth Day, media coverage was carried out by Walter Cronkite of CBS News, and among the stars of the event were some big names in US entertainment, including Paul Newman. Since that day, Earth Day has grown to become a global event, celebrated by over a billion people worldwide. Over the years, this day has helped to raise awareness and push governments and organisations to commit to the conservation of the planet's natural resources, proving that collective action can bring about significant and lasting change.

The theme of Earth Day 2024 is Planet VS Plastics and is based on a clear and ambitious goal: to reduce plastic production by 60% by 2040, as underlined by the slogan "60×40". A crucial goal to ensure a plastic-free future for the next generations. The pathway to this goal implies an immediate focus on human health, which is severely threatened by toxic chemicals released from decomposed plastics. Furthermore, it is crucial that markets reduce the demand for plastics: hence EARTHDAY.ORG's call for the INC to mandate that disposable plastic no longer be produced by 2030 within the Global Plastics Treaty. Finally, investment in innovation is essential: exploring new materials and production processes will lead towards a sustainable, plastic-free future. This combination of actions shows the importance of an integrated and collaborative approach to protect our planet.

The degradation of plastics forms small fragments called 'microplastics' that can spread everywhere and penetrate organisms, so much so, that interference has been observed, at different levels, in the biology of pollination. Scientific studies have indeed shown that microplastics affect the growth of plants and alter the morphology and pigmentation of flowers, reducing their ability to attract crucial pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Pollination is a process that benefits both the plant, by increasing its reproductive process, but also the pollinating insects themselves, which, by collecting nectar, satisfy their nutritional needs. Exposure of plants to microplastics can, however, alter the chemistry of nectar and in particular its amino acid profile, with consequent negative effects on pollination.

3Bee is the naturetech developing technologies for the protection of biodiversity. Its revolutionary approach is based on the use of innovative technologies capable of listening to pollinators: the sensors and algorithms developed make it possible to collect quantifiable data on their health status and host habitat, making it accessible to all. This transparency not only improves understanding and awareness of the status of pollinators, but also facilitates the development of targeted solutions and the implementation of effective conservation actions. This includes the Oases of Biodiversity: spaces dedicated to the protection of local biodiversity and pollinating insects, monitored along the lines of the XNatura Protocol. On the occasion of World Earth Day, we highlight the importance of monitoring and protecting pollinating insects, key indicators of environmental health, alongside virtuous companies and institutions.