Earth Day 2025: “Our Power, Our Planet!”

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OPINION

By Howard Mwesigwa

Each year, the world comes together on April 22^nd to reflect, recommit, and reimagine a future where humanity lives harmoniously with nature. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally through earthday.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. This year’s Earth Day comes with a bold, resonant theme: “Our Power, Our Planet.” This is a rallying call—not just to recognise the crises we face, but to champion the very solutions that our world so desperately needs. For Uganda, this year’s theme is more than a global mantra—it is a clarion call to action!  

Uganda stands at the very frontline of climate vulnerability. From increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts, to devastating floods (like those experienced around Kampala on March 26, 2025) and the receding forest cover (currently at 13%), the signs are crystal clear. Yet, even amid these challenges, lies an irrefutable fact: Uganda is rich and deeply endowed—not just in terms of biological and cultural diversity, but also in terms of renewable energy potential (estimated at 53,000 MW) and in the passion, innovation and numerical strength of her young people (approximately 78% of the population).

Our Power lies in our people. The fact that Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, is not a mere statistic—it is a potent force! Across the country, young innovators are designing solar-powered irrigation systems, creating climate-smart agricultural tools, and leading the charge in the campaign to protect our forests, wetlands, and lakes.

Our Power lies in our natural resources. Uganda is blessed with abundant sunshine, flowing rivers, strong winds, and rich geothermal potential. Harnessing these resources is not just good for the planet—it is smart economics. Renewable energy has the potential to create jobs, power schools and hospitals, boost small businesses, and to reduce our reliance on costly fossil fuel imports. In communities that were once in darkness, solar mini-grids are lighting homes and livelihoods.

Our Power lies in policy and political will. While Uganda has made bold legal and policy strides—such as the National Environment Act, Cap 181, the National Climate Change Act, Cap. 182, the National Climate Change Policy 2015, the Renewable Energy Policy 2007, the Uganda Energy Transition Plan (ETP), and now the updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), what is left is walking the talk and implementing these policies with much more intentionality We must demand accountability, increased financing for renewable energy infrastructure, and stronger support for grassroots climate action.

This Earth Day, we must also confront the hard truths: deforestation continues to rise and has reduced our national green cover to a meagre 9%, save for recent afforestation and reforestation efforts. Wetlands are being drained for short-term profits. Fossil fuel exploration threatens fragile ecosystems. The climate crisis is not tomorrow’s problem—it is today's emergency! But if we act together, as indeed we should, our collective action will go a long way in bringing to fruition our renewable energy and climate action goals and aspirations.

So, what must we then do? We ought to plant and protect our trees—not just on Earth Day, but every day, support clean energy projects in our communities, hold leaders accountable for environmental violations and commitments, elevate youth voices in climate decision-making, and embrace sustainable lifestyles, from reducing plastic use to conserving water and energy.

“Our Power, Our Planet!” reminds us that climate action is not the duty of a few, but the collective responsibility of all of us. We are not just victims of climate change—we are the much-needed hope and solutions. This Earth Day, let’s rise together—for our environment, for our future, for our children and their children—for our planet!

The writer is Team Leader – Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Kalikumutima & Co. Advocates

howardmwesigwa25@gmail.com