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 Background Behind The Theme
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.
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How You Can Help
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:
1. Reduce Your Waste
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.
2. Plant A Garden
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
