**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) commemorated Earth Day 2026 on April 22, 2026, under the theme "Our Power, Our Planet" to reaffirm its commitment to environmental stewardship. The event focused on addressing the unprecedented rate of global temperature rise, resource depletion, and the need for equitable sustainability through critical knowledge generation. Key outcomes included the collective Earth Day Pledge and a call for actionable items to safeguard the planet for future generations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Climate and Environmental Challenges**
* Global temperatures, oceans, and poles are warming at alarming rates, described as the "Earth's fever."
* Human resource consumption is currently 1.8 times faster than the Earth’s ecosystems can regenerate.
* The rate of climate change in the last century is unprecedented in the context of 200,000 years of human history.
**Agricultural and Water Security**
* Rising CO2 levels affect C3 crops like wheat and rice more severely than C4 crops like millets, making the "Mission Millet" initiative critical.
* Water projections indicate an increase in the Indus Basin but a significant reduction for the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins, threatening India’s most populous regions.
**Climate Justice and Global Leadership**
* India’s per capita energy use remains lower than the developed world, yet the nation leads global "greening" efforts alongside China and Europe.
* India is highlighted as the only country in the world with a dedicated Ministry of Earth Sciences.
**Strategic Missions and Action**
* The MoES continues to spearhead vital initiatives including the Deep Ocean Mission, Mission Mausam, and PRITHVI.
* Speakers emphasized moving beyond mere awareness to "actionable items," promoting the philosophy that "Every day is Earth Day."
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and Scientific Community**
**Impact**
The Ministry is tasked with the responsibility of generating critical knowledge to understand specific climate risks and implications rather than just the mechanics of change.
**Action Required**
Continue spearheading missions (Deep Ocean, Mausam, PRITHVI) and develop outreach programs that translate awareness into actionable environmental safeguards.
**Agricultural Sector**
**Impact**
Farmers and the food supply chain are facing shifts in crop viability due to CO2 levels impacting traditional staples like wheat and rice.
**Action Required**
Prioritize the "Mission Millet" initiative to promote the cultivation of more resilient C4 crops.
**General Public and Individuals**
**Impact**
The population is affected by the warming of the planet and the rapid depletion of natural resources.
**Action Required**
Individuals are urged to transition from environmental awareness to implementing daily actionable items to safeguard the planet.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): The primary government body responsible for spearheading climate missions and formulating policies related to Earth system sciences in India.
Deep Ocean Mission: A flagship initiative of the MoES focused on deep-sea exploration and the sustainable utilization of oceanic resources.
Mission Mausam: A vital ministry-led initiative aimed at enhancing weather and climate services for better adaptation and resilience.
PRITHVI: A comprehensive scheme of the MoES designed to address Earth system science challenges through integrated research.
Mission Millet: An initiative highlighted for its role in promoting climate-resilient agriculture as an adaptation strategy against rising global CO2 levels.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Ministry of Earth Sciences Celebrates Earth Day
2026; Calls for "Climate Justice" and Equitable
Sustainability
Posted On: 22 APR 2026 8:28PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, commemorated Earth Day 2026 today at
Prithvi Bhavan, centered around the theme "Our Power, Our Planet." The event featured a high-level
gathering of scientists, senior officials, and staff who collectively took the Earth Day Pledge, reaffirming
their commitment to environmental stewardship.
The celebration was graced by Chief Guest Padma Shri Dr. Shailesh Nayak, former Secretary of MoES
and current Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS). The event was presided over
by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES, alongside notable attendees including Dr. Mrutyunjay
Mohapatra (DGM, IMD), Shri S. Gopal Krishna (Joint Secretary, MoES), and Dr. Jagvir Singh (Scientist
G).
Knowledge as a Tool for Resilience
In a keynote address, Dr. Shailesh Nayak provided a sweeping historical perspective on human adaptation,
noting that while humans have survived dramatic climate shifts over 200,000 years, the rate of change in
the last century, rise in global temperature, is unprecedented.
"The question today, especially for the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is generating critical knowledge to
address global environmental change," said Dr. Nayak. "We must move beyond understanding 'how'
changes occur to understanding the specific risks and implications. Our future must not only be resilient
but equitable."
Dr. Nayak highlighted several critical observations:
Agricultural Shifts: Rising CO2 levels impact C3 crops like wheat and rice more severely than C4 crops
like millets, underscoring the importance of the "Mission Millet" initiative.
Water Security: Projections indicate an increase in water for the Indus Basin, but a significant reduction
for the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins, affecting India’s most populous regions.
Climate Justice: Dr. Nayak emphasized that while India’s per capita energy use is significantly lower than
the developed world the nation is leading in global "greening" efforts alongside China and Europe.
Addressing the "Earth’s Fever"
Addressing the urgency of the climate crisis, MoES Secretary Dr. M. Ravichandran remarked, "A rise
might sound small, but just as a few degrees cause a fever in the human body, the Earth is now running a
fever. The oceans and poles are warming at alarming rates."He further noted that: Humans are currently consuming resources 1.8 times faster than the Earth’s
ecosystems can regenerate. India remains the only country in the world with a dedicated Ministry of Earth
Sciences, reflecting the government's unique commitment to the planet. The Ministry continues to
spearhead vital missions, including the Deep Ocean Mission, Mission Mausam, and PRITHVI.
A Call to Action
In this event a presentation on the Ministry's 2026 Earth Day activities and outreach programs were
presented. The Speakers emphasized that "Every day is Earth Day," urging individuals to move from
awareness to actionable items to safeguard the planet for future generations.*****
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