Our Power, Our Planet & Our Responsibility: A Case for Earth Stewardship

“The Earth is what we all have in common.” – Wendell Berry

A Day to Pause, Reflect & Commit:

Earth Day 2026 carries the theme “Our Power, Our Planet”. ‘

Power’ is but a slave to the intent. Human species has utilized the power of intellect to invent and harness technology to benefit from the abundant resources of Earth and its ecosystem. And has it been graceful and reasonable while doing that? Unfortunately, human ways so far have been exploitative and dangerously self-destructive.

This article is my reflection on the marvel called Earth, the damage it has suffered at the hands of  humans, an urgent call to action to deliver real, relevant and substantive outcome and ideas for  the C-suite and Board community for the much-needed Earth Stewardship at scale and long-term  time horizon.

1. What Makes Earth truly Extraordinary & Unique?

Before we speak of crises and correctives, let us take a breath and stand in awe of what we are  trying to protect.

1. Two Trillion Galaxies. One Living Planet:

The observable universe holds an estimated two trillion galaxies – billions of planets in each. Yet  of all these cosmic addresses, Earth alone, to our knowledge, hosts life.

2. A Living Tapestry of Unimaginable Diversity:

Our planet is home to an estimated 8.7 million species of life forms- animals, plants, fungi, and  more – of which a staggering 86% on land and 91% in our oceans have yet to be discovered and  named. Even today, scientists identify over 16,000 new species each year.

3. The Gift of Seasons – Uniquely Stable, Uniquely Earth:

Earth’s axis tilts at about 23.4 degrees – the precise angle that gifts us four seasons. Scientifically,  other planets do have seasons too (Mars at 25°, Saturn at 27°, Neptune at 28°), but here is what  makes Earth exceptional: our Moon stabilises this tilt, preventing the wild axial wobble. Without  the Moon’s gravitational anchor, our seasons would be unpredictable and chaotic, potentially  rendering sustained life impossible. Our stable, rhythmic seasons – spring’s renewal, summer’s  abundance, autumn’s harvest, winter’s quiet – are not accidents. They are a delicately maintained  cosmic arrangement.

4. Liquid Water- The Rarest of Cosmic Gifts:

Earth is the only planet in our solar system with liquid water on its surface. It covers 71% of our  planet and is the foundation of all life as we know it. We have discovered water ice on Mars and  Europa’s subsurface oceans, but nowhere else does water flow freely in rivers, gather in clouds,  fall as rain.

5. An Atmosphere That Breathes Life:

Earth’s atmosphere is a precisely calibrated shield and sustainer-blocking lethal ultraviolet  radiation, trapping just enough heat for life, providing oxygen and carbon dioxide for the grand  exchange between plants and animals. A nitrogen-oxygen rich atmosphere protects life and  regulates temperature.

No other planet in our solar system has anything comparable for life support.

6. The Goldilocks Position:

At exactly 150 million kilometres (1 Astronomical Unit) from the Sun, Earth occupies the  habitable zone — not too hot, not too cold. Sunlight takes 8 minutes to reach us. A few million  kilometres closer or farther, and life as we know it could not exist.

7. A Magnetic Shield :

Earth’s molten iron core generates a powerful magnetosphere that deflects solar winds and  cosmic radiation. We live inside an invisible fortress.

8. A Self-Regulating System of Breathtaking Complexity:

Earth’s carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, water cycle, and oceanic currents together form a self regulating planetary system. Forests breathe, oceans absorb, soil sequesters. Every element  plays a role in maintaining the conditions for life. Plate tectonics enable life cycling.  Earth is the only known planet with active plate tectonics, recycling nutrients essential for life.

9. 4.5 Billion Years of Evolution- And Then arrive Humans:

If Earth’s entire history were compressed into a 24-hour clock, modern humans appeared in the  last two seconds. In those two seconds, we have reshaped the planet more than any other force  in its history. The question is whether we will use our remaining time wisely.

  10.  A Structure Designed and Built on Interdependence:

From microbes to megafauna, Earth hosts deeply interconnected ecosystems.

It’s a complex, interconnected design with has a great intelligence of its own. Humans, instead  of showing the respect for that grand intelligence have been destroying it, under the notion that  they are the masters of this planet. Something which existed way before our evolution brought  us to this point.

 2. Why Must We Care- And Act with An Utmost Urgency?

Awe without action is merely sentiment. Here is the data that should move us from  admiration to accountability.

1. The Catastrophe of Soil Loss:

Soil is the very substratum of the Earth. Life on land, and human civilizations are built on soil. Yet  we treat it ‘Dirt’- and treat it like one. Approximately 33% of all global soils are already degraded  due to erosion, loss of organic matter, salinisation, compaction, and pollution. The Food and  Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates 1.66 billion hectares are degraded by human activities  – with over 60% of this affecting agricultural lands. We are losing fertile topsoil equivalent to four  football fields every second. If current trends continue, by 2050 more than 90% of Earth’s land  areas could be substantially degraded – threatening food security for billions.

2. The Silent Extinction of Biodiversity:

The 2024 Living Planet Report by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reveals that tracked wildlife  populations have declined by an average of 73% since 1970. The Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Global Assessment warns that  approximately 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction – many  within decades. Over 40% of amphibian species, nearly a third of reef-forming corals, and over a  third of marine mammals are currently threatened. The average abundance of native species in  most major terrestrial biomes has fallen by at least 20%, mostly since 1900. The IUCN Red List  currently identifies more than 41,000 species threatened with extinction. We are not in a normal  extinction event. We are in a human-caused mass extinction.

3. Climate Change: We Have Crossed 1.5°C:

2024 is now confirmed as the first calendar year to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels recording a global mean temperature anomaly of 1.55°C. It was the warmest year in 175 years of  observation. The past ten years (2015–2024) are the ten warmest ever recorded. The WMO  forecasts a 70% probability that the five-year average for 2025–2029 will exceed 1.5°C. CO₂  concentrations are at their highest in 800,000 years. The remaining carbon budget to stay within  1.5°C is approximately 130 GtCO₂- consumed at current rates in barely three years. The Paris  Agreement goal is not yet lost, but the window is closing fast.

4. Deforestation- Destroying the Lungs of the Planet:

Between 1980 and 2000, over 100 million hectares of tropical forest were lost – the world’s most  biodiverse ecosystems. Forests are not merely carbon sinks; they are precipitation generators,  biodiversity arks, and the source of over 25% of all medicines. Deforestation continues at  alarming rates, with the IPBES identifying land use change as the single greatest driver of  biodiversity loss.

5. Ocean Crisis – Warming, Acidifying, Rising

Each of the past eight years has set a record for ocean heat content. Sea levels are rising – and  the rate has doubled since satellite measurements began. Ocean acidification-the consequence  of CO₂ absorption- now threatens coral reefs, shellfish, and entire marine food webs. Oceans  cover 71% of Earth and regulate climate, weather, and the oxygen we breathe.

6. Freshwater Scarcity – The Coming Crisis:

“The wars of the twenty-first century will be fought over water”- Ismail Serageldin

Only 3% of Earth’s water is fresh, and much of it is locked in glaciers that are rapidly retreating.  The WEF consistently ranks water crisis as one of the top global risks. Urbanisation, industrial  agriculture, and pollution are depleting aquifers at rates far exceeding natural recharge. Over 2  billion people already live in water-stressed regions.

7. Plastic and Chemical Pollution – Permeating Every Living System: Marine pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, affecting at least 267 species including 86% of all marine turtle species. Microplastics are now found in human blood, breast milk, placentas and brains. Chemical pollution from industrial processes – including from sectors like mine- is disrupting endocrine systems across species.

Self-destruction is not the sign of intelligence. Act we must-fast, and in the most sensible  manner.

III. Green shoots – 5 Inspiring Stories from the Corporate World:

The most compelling counter-narrative to despair is action. And increasingly, some corporations  are not merely complying with environmental regulations-they are reimagining their fundamental  relationship with the living world.

I found the following five examples quite magnificent and contextual while reflecting on the Earth  Day.

1. Unilever- Regenerative Agriculture at Scale:

By end of 2024, Unilever had implemented regenerative agriculture practices across 130,000  hectares globally, with an ambitious target of 1 million hectares by 2030. They have committed  €1 billion through their Climate & Nature Fund. In 2024, 97% of their primary deforestation-linked  commodities (palm oil, soy, cocoa, tea, paper) were sourced deforestation-free. Their Water  Efficiency Fund has reportedly helped avoid €60 million in costs while saving over 1.1 million  cubic metres of water annually.

2. Patagonia- Radical Ownership for the Planet:

Patagonia’s groundbreaking 2022 ownership restructuring – transferring the company to a  purpose trust and non-profit-has directed over $100 million to nature protection in just three  years. Their shift to recycled materials has resulted in up to 46% lower global warming potential,  70% less acidification, 91% less water consumption, and 62% reduction in primary energy use compared to conventional manufacturing.

3. Ørsted- From Black to Green, and Now Ocean Positive:

The Danish energy giant that successfully pivoted from fossil fuels to become the world’s largest  offshore wind developer has now committed that all new projects from 2030 onwards will deliver  net-positive biodiversity impact. Through its BioReef and ReCoral initiatives, Ørsted is installing  oyster-reef structures around offshore wind farms in the North Sea and transplanting coral  fragments onto turbine foundations in Taiwan- creating marine habitats where there were none.

4. Mastercard – A Masterclass on Planet Coalition:

Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition has grown to more than 150 partners — including  American Airlines, Barclays, Unilever, General Motors, and HSBC. Together they have funded the  restoration of 26 million trees across six continents, creating 2.6 million workdays for local  communities and sequestering an estimated 941,726 tonnes of carbon. This is pre-competitive  collaboration at its finest- recognising that no single corporation can own the problem of  planetary restoration.

5. Kering – Regenerating Supply Chains:

The luxury fashion group Kering has committed to regenerating one million hectares of productive  land in their supply chain and protecting an additional million hectares of critical habitat outside  their supply chain. Their biodiversity strategy explicitly addresses the carbon co-benefits of  nature restoration recognising that supply chain transformation is the highest-leverage  intervention available to consumer-facing corporations.

There are equally respectable examples of Natura, Tata Group, Mahindra, REI and Interface,  whose work can serve as guiding beacon to create responsible organizations and positive impact  on the planet, at a scale and size which our times demand.

  3. Earth Stewardship: A Worthy Mission for the Board and CXO Community:

Over half of global GDP is moderately or highly dependent on nature, according to the World  Economic Forum. Biodiversity loss, extreme weather event like floods or unseasonal hailstorms are not environmental externalities- it is a balance sheet risk, a supply chain disruption, an  insurance liability, and a social licence threat.

Boards and CXOs have the power to make the biggest different in the corporate ecosystem.

Following are a few suggestions for them to make Earth Stewardship as part of the mission and  values, along with governance frameworks to make it sustainable, long-term and impactful.

1. Embed Nature Risk in the Enterprise Risk Assessment:

Extreme climate conditions and disrupted seasonal cycles are real and experiential. Nature or  Climate Risks must be included in the Risk Assessment framework. Once they come on the  radar, chances of remedial and preventive actions would go up.

2. Integrate Nature-Positive Commitments in Board-Level Governance

I find following principles quite simple, elegant and powerful to assess present actions,  discontinue the harmful ones and design/adopt helpful ones in operations and CSR activities: – ‘Do no harm’: Preventive

– ‘Do More Good’: Positive and Regenerative

– ‘Educate & Build Capacities’: Education and Skilling as force multiplier for the  present and future generations.

3. Embed Biodiversity and Environment Projects in the CSR Portfolio: India’s Companies Act Section 135 mandates CSR spending- but mandated spending is floor, not ceiling. India Inc.’s current CSR pie has only about 7% spends share of Biodiversity and Environmental causes.

There’s a huge opportunity to strategically integrate afforestation, biodiversity restoration, soil  health, and watershed projects into the CSR portfolio.

4. Create Greenspaces for Maximum Environmental Impact:

Corporate and industrial campuses have fascination for perfectly manicured and well maintained lawns. While lawns certainly look pretty, they are water guzzlers and do very little for  biodiversity.

My experience suggests that an urban forest created over let’s say, a 1000 square meters of land  consumes 65%-75% less water compared with turf grass lawn over a five-year period, calculated  on cumulative basis. Miyawaki forest goes into self-sustaining mode after five years- requiring no  external irrigation. Besides reduction in the water footprint, it attracts precious biodiversity.

5. Adopt Science-Based Targets:

Climate, water, and biodiversity targets grounded in science are SMART. Industry Leaders based  benchmarking provides a context and motivation to set actionable goals and programs.

6. Anchor ESG and CSR Reporting in Ecological Outcomes & Not Just Activities: India’s BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting) framework now requires disclosure of environmental impacts. But the most progressive organisations are going further reporting on ecosystem health outcomes, biodiversity indicators, and soil quality metrics in the regions where they operate. Move from ‘trees planted’ to ‘forest canopy cover gained.’ From  ‘wastewater treated’ to ‘aquifer health restored.’ From ‘energy saved’ to ‘carbon sequestration  delivered.’

Closing Thoughts:

A good business is all about a fair exchange.

Have we been fair with the Earth?

Earth has survived billions of years and five great extinctions. It will survive humans too. Can we survive ourselves?

We have the science. We have the technology. We have the capital. We have the great practice of  management.

Let’s infuse the will – and the courage of conviction into them and do something worthy for our  home, our planet, a marvel called Earth.

It’s for our present and future.

It’s for us, the humans.

“No Plan ‘B’ for climate action as there is no Planet ‘B’ “ – Ban Ki-moon

About Author:

Rajesh Vaidya | CHRO & Head of Sustainability, Silox India

Rajesh Vaidya is a seasoned C-suite executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience in Human Resources, CSR and Sustainability. As the current CHRO & Head of Sustainability at Silox India Private Limited-a prominent Indo-Belgian joint venture specializing in zinc and sulphur-based chemicals-he leads strategic initiatives that harmonize organizational growth with environmental and social stewardship.

Recognized as one of the “Top 100 Chief Sustainability Officers” for 2025 by the Global Sustainability Alliance and ET Edge, Rajesh is a specialist in navigating complex business landscapes. His expertise spans business turnarounds and high-growth scaling within diverse sectors, including automotive, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, private equity, engineering and specialty chemicals.

Rajesh has spearheaded transformations across India, Romania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. Under his leadership, Silox India has earned prestigious national accolades for excellence in both HR and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He is a frequent contributor to executive discourse on the evolution of corporate governance, human-centric management, authentic leadership, responsible capitalism, strategic HR, and the integration of sustainability into core business value chains.

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