Proposed UN Resolution

An annual Serene Day to be observed on March 20, was first proposed by Dr. Chaitanya Hiremath, founder and president of SEALOEarth, in his UN address in 2022, at the Interactive Dialogue of the General Assembly on Harmony with Nature in Commemoration of International Mother Earth Day. (video)

Address at the UN General Assembly on April 24, 2023

Progress of the UN Sustainable Development Goals

After four years of promotion of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the 193 countries agreed on in 2015 in Addis Ababa, five reports on the progress of the SDGs appeared in the summer of 2019. Based on these reports, the Basel Institute of Commons and Economics synopsis shows which of the 17 goals were addressed in priority and which ones were left behind. The Climate was ranked second after Health. But the saddest finding is the last rank for maintaining our Biodiversity on Land and below Water. (report)

Significance

The magnitude of climate change and loss of biodiversity is enormous, however numerous other important aspects are often overlooked as a priority. It is critical to foster pride in our unique planet because mere will and resolve are not enough to restore its serenity. Keeping in mind the well-being of all inhabitants of planet Earth, Serene Day is needed to create awareness of anthropogenic intervention at several levels, which encompass air, water, land, light, sound, thermal, nuclear, and space. International Serene Day (ISD) provides the opportunity for humanity to appreciate the beauty of nature and the grandeur of life around us.

Anthropogenic intervention

Anthropogenic intervention refers to human activities as the main driver of change. Air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution are well-known. Some of the lesser-known interventions include:

• Light: Many animals in our ecosystems rely on the Earth’s cycle of natural light and darkness to survive. For example, sea turtle hatchlings have an inborn tendency to move in the brightest direction. This sea-finding behavior can take place during any phase and position of the moon. Disorientation from artificial lighting causes thousands of hatchling deaths each year in Florida and is a significant marine turtle conservation problem.
• Sound: Marine animals use sound to navigate, communicate, find food, locate mates, and avoid predators. Flooding their world with intense sound interferes with these activities and results in serious—sometimes fatal—consequences. Anthropogenic (human-generated) noise levels in the marine environment are increasing at an alarming rate. In some areas, noise levels have doubled every decade for the past 60 years. There is mounting concern that noise proliferation poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems and the survival of marine mammals, fish, and other ocean wildlife.
• Thermal: Thermal pollution is an abrupt change in the temperature of a natural body of water that can suffocate wildlife in water due to insufficient oxygen. When someone thinks of pollution, the idea of thermal pollution often doesn’t come to mind. People will first think of things like carbon emissions, personal pollution and waste, and a variety of other changing factors. However, thermal pollution is a real and persistent problem in our modern society.
• Nuclear: Radioactive waste is very dangerous for living organisms as it affects the body cells. Radioactivity takes thousands of years to decay. Emitting radiation that can pose serious risks to human health and the environment, the waste, much of it decades old, await permanent disposal in geological repositories, but none are operational. With nowhere to go, for now, the hazardous materials and their containers continue to age.
• Space: Space debris is any human-made object in orbit about the Earth that no longer serves a useful function. Such debris includes nonfunctional spacecraft, abandoned launch vehicle stages, mission-related debris, and fragmentation debris. There are approximately 23,000 pieces of debris larger than a softball orbiting the Earth. They travel at speeds up to 17,500 mph, fast enough for a relatively small piece of orbital debris to damage a satellite or a spacecraft.

Benefits

• Health: When you're out in nature, your mind is restored after 15 to 20 minutes of walking through trees. You will have a bigger attention span, you can solve more complicated cognitive tests, and puzzles. Researchers have observed that after three days, the prefrontal cortex, the part of you that's in charge, relaxes, it is reset, and that's when you have your most creative and productive time.

Activities

Enjoy the first day of spring in the 21st century, in style and contemplation of nature!

• 1. Take a walk in a park: 15 minutes Shinrin-yoku! "Research shows time in a park or forest bathing will decrease stress and anxiety, and it will increase the ability to focus, think critically and make better decision." - Ronna Schneberger
• 2. Have a candlelight dinner at home: Restaurants entice you a special setting for the evening (suggested).
• 3. See the Milky Way Galaxy: How to find the Milky Way. The base version of Sky Guide is now free!
  
• Free access to nature parks: Nature parks worldwide offer free access (suggested).
• Think of problems that babies of other species face in their daily lives: For example, the turtle hatchling's instinct to follow the light of the moon in order to reach the sea is intercepted by the light of inland cities.

Outreach

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Restaurants

We are grateful to the restaurants that have honored ISD by providing a "candlelight experience" when customers mention 'Serene Day'. This will put a spotlight on light pollution. Baby turtles will thank you!

• Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza (Littleton, MA)
• Karma (Westford, MA)

Awareness

• Sea Turtle Hatchlings Confusing Moonlight With City Lights
• Noise and light pollution affect breeding habits in birds
• 5 Fast Facts about Spent Nuclear Fuel
• Satellites spoiling more and more Hubble images
• Spend Time in Nature to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
• Dolphins are being drowned out by noise pollution in Hong Kong
• Noise fear for Zimbabwe elephants
• How Sound Affects Animals
• Noise pollution is a major problem, both for human health and the environment
• Reducing Underwater Noise Pollution: Policy Options
• How to Reduce Noise Pollution?
• Redesigning ship propellors and installing acoustic “curtains” could lower the volume on anthropogenic noise that disrupts ocean life
• Nurtured by nature
• What Covid-19 taught us about birdsong and noise pollution
• ...

Quotes

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• Basic needs

  

• Appreciation

  

• Goal

  

Contact

For questions and information, please contact via email: info(at)sealoearth.org