Celebrate National Clean Earth Day: Embracing Renewable Energy for a Greener Future!

On April 22, the Department of Environment (DOE) will celebrate National Clean Earth Day with the theme “clean energy, clean earth.” This initiative underscores the vital importance of renewable energy in safeguarding our planet. The United Nations General Assembly designated this date as International Mother Earth Day in 2009, emphasizing the need to protect our planet and its ecosystems for sustainable living.

This year’s observance is aimed at raising public awareness regarding environmental issues through various educational programs organized by the DOE, as reported by Mehr news agency. These initiatives encourage community involvement in addressing pressing environmental challenges.

Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, water, waste, and geothermal heat are abundant and produce minimal to zero greenhouse gas emissions. They are particularly advantageous for communities lacking access to reliable power sources, which can impede education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

• Global Energy Access: Many developing regions still depend heavily on polluting fossil fuels. Current trends suggest that by 2030, approximately 1.8 billion people will continue to rely on unsafe and inefficient cooking methods, like burning wood.
• Climate Change Impact: The ongoing destruction of our planet has been exacerbated by climate change, human-induced environmental alterations, and biodiversity-threatening activities such as deforestation, land-use changes, intensified agriculture, and illegal wildlife trading.
• Call to Action: Mother Earth is sending a clear message for a transition towards a sustainable economy that benefits both people and the planet. It is a collective responsibility to protect our environment.

Earth Day has historically played a pivotal role in educating the public and mobilizing action on critical environmental issues. It serves as a global platform advocating for the health of our planet, urging collective efforts to protect air, oceans, soil, ecosystems, wildlife, and human well-being.

April 22, 2025, will mark the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, with participation expected from 192 countries and over one billion people worldwide. This event highlights Earth Day’s ability to unite individuals from diverse backgrounds towards a common goal of environmental sustainability.

This year’s theme, “Our power, Our planet,” calls for a collective commitment to triple renewable energy usage by 2030. This initiative is crucial for fostering a sustainable future.

Renewable Energy Capacity in Iran

On April 17, Iran’s Energy Ministry announced the completion of 15 new solar power plants, contributing a total capacity of 100 megawatts to the national grid. These plants are strategically located across several provinces, including:

• Isfahan (Naein, Kuhpayeh)
• Yazd (Khezrabad, Abarkouh)
• Razavi Khorasan (Chenaran 2 and 3, Kashmar, Bahariyeh)
• South Khorasan (Khusf)
• Kerman (Jiroft, Shahrbabak 2 and 3)
• Markazi (Mahallat)
• Alborz (Hashtgerd, Eshtehard)

According to the ministry’s report, an impressive 400 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity—equivalent to one-third of the total capacity installed in previous years—has been integrated into the national power grid during the first seven months of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration. With the activation of these new solar units, Iran’s overall renewable energy capacity will reach a significant 500 megawatts.

As we approach National Clean Earth Day, it is vital to recognize the impact of renewable energy on both local communities and the global environment. The transition to clean energy is not just an option; it is a necessity for a sustainable future.