Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates World Health Day. These themed days are meant to focus on a set topic and educate people about living healthier lives. This year the theme was ‘Our Planet, Our Health’ – a topic that reflects how we should all think about the global implications of our individual choices. The question, of course, is how do we make an impact when the issues seem so large? Let’s look at how that can work.
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The WHO chose to focus on this theme for 2022 because the numbers on the global health crisis have become staggering. It’s been estimated that about 13 million people die every year because of environmental issues. The evidence also suggests that over 90% of the world’s population are breathing polluted air daily and the concentration of pollutants in the air are consistently getting worse.
Additionally, the climate crisis continues to wreak havoc on the Earth, affecting infrastructure, water distribution, and food supply.
If that wasn’t enough, recent studies showed that many countries have passed the point of no return when it comes to rising temperatures. That means they can no longer return to cooler temperatures so the only hope is to slow things down as much as possible.
Though the issue is a global one, there are a few ways that individuals can help when they make changes to their daily lives.
Here are 5 of them you can consider:
While some amount of waste is inevitable, there’s a lot you can do to cut it down so that it doesn’t end up in landfills. One option is using reusable containers whenever possible.
If you’re feeling particularly creative, you can transform plastic bottles and tires into usable garden containers.
There may even be people in your community who use materials in that way. Some companies will recycle their plastic and glass bottles as well so make sure to check.
The types of plants or trees that you can have will vary depending on how much space is available to you, but it’s worth it to find out what works. It doesn’t even have to be outside. Having green spaces in your home or on the balcony can be helpful. A small kitchen garden serves the dual purpose of giving you herbs and spices for your meals while easing the environmental burden. Don’t forget about your community spaces either. There might be space for a few trees.
The foods we choose to eat can have a significant impact on our water footprint and affect the overall environment.
A specific food’s water footprint is basically how much water it takes to produce it when you consider all the combined processes.
For example, it takes 613 liters of water to produce only 3 ounces of pork. A kilogram of beef requires 15,415 liters of water.
It’s a good idea to research the foods with low water footprints and include those in your diets more often.
When you use energy-efficient devices, there’ll be less pressure on the electricity grid and there’s a decrease in the harmful gases released into the air.
You can also moderate how often you use certain devices. For example, some experts recommend going for a walk instead of using the treadmill.
As you might expect, vehicles are a big contributor to air pollution. While some people can afford to get electric vehicles that are a potential solution, you might find it easier to cut down on how often you use your car.
Walking or cycling short distances can help if you’re up to it. You can also carpool with others who are going to the same location or in a similar direction.
Of course, these changes will have a more significant effect if everyone gets involved, including the corporations. It can be helpful to petition local businesses to implement more eco-friendly behaviors and policies.
If the government gives you the opportunity to suggest or vote on regulations regarding helping the environment, make sure your voice is heard. It’s not too late to improve our health and save the planet at the same time.
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