Honourable senators, this Saturday, people around the world will come together to celebrate the fifty-third annual Earth Day, a day initiated by American Democratic senator Gaylord Nelson and Republican congressman Pete McCloskey. The theme of that first Earth Day was “A Question of Survival.”

Colleagues, our planet Earth is the third planet from the sun and the only planet we know so far that is inhabited by living things, including us. It is the only planet with liquid water on its surface. The name “Earth” is at least 1,000 years old. Unlike other planets named after Greek and Roman gods and goddesses, the name of our planet is derived from a Germanic word which simply means “the ground.”

The theme for Earth Day 2023 is “Invest in our Planet,” aiming to raise awareness about the need for countries, companies and individuals to help build healthy, sustainable and equitable economies. Earth Day’s official website states:

There is no longer a choice between going green and growing long term profits. It is crucial for businesses of all sizes to act now.

According to Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency:

We do not have to choose between responding to today’s energy crisis and tackling the climate crisis. Not only can we do both, we must do both because they are intimately linked. Massive investment in clean energy—including energy efficiency, renewables, electrification, and a range of clean fuels—is the best guarantee of energy security in the future and will also drive down harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Canada’s independent Net-Zero Advisory Body’s annual report states:

Canada must remain at the forefront of the net-zero movement to ensure competitiveness in the global economy, sustain well-being, create good jobs, and attract investments to leverage competitive advantages. . . .

. . . success must be about the construction of a . . . net-zero future for all Canadians.

The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters association says, “It is imperative that Canada and Canadian manufacturers become world leaders in the race to net zero.”

Colleagues, we know the business sector is central to the transformative green industrial revolution we are currently undergoing on our planet Earth. Also critical is the role of our governments at every level, of civil society and each of us as citizens. Colleagues, let’s take a minute this Saturday to reflect on how we can each invest in the well-being of our planet, for our own well-being and for the well-being of our future generations. And let’s just get out and enjoy the day. Happy Earth Day.