Every year, September 26 is celebrated across the globe as the World Environmental Health Day to promote awareness at a global level on various issues surrounding the environmental health.
World Environmental Health Day was started in 2011 by the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) Council, an international organisation that provides a common global platform for discussion and implementation of steps people can take at all levels to protect the environment health.
Importance: -
The well-being of humans depends largely on the health of environment so public education about methods of ensuring cleanliness of environment and upkeeping of its good health is imperative. At a time when the world continues to face serious issues like global warming, climate change, rapid urbanisation etc. which deteriorate the quality of the environment, public health is becoming more vulnerable to hazards as well as illnesses.
WHO data says that every year around a quarter of global burden of diseases is directly linked to the environmental causes. There are many government and private entities from local to global level who work hard to improve all aspects of human life so that citizens can lead a healthier life, so International environment health day celebrates to honor the contributions of such organisations.
Theme: -
Every year, the International environment health day is celebrated with a particular theme. This year, the IFEH council has announced that the day will be celebrated with the focal idea of “Strengthening Environmental Health Systems for the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals”.
The Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal action to end poverty, protect earth, and ensure peace and prosperity for all. Environmental health plays a pivotal role in implementation of these SDGs and as it faces many challenges, the realisation of these global goals continue to take backseat.
Pledge to work your part in celebrating this day: -
The World Environmental Health Day encourages not only nations, but local governments to communities and even households to do their part in changing the future of our environmental health for a better today and tomorrow.
Steps which could be as simple as walking to work rather than driving to supporting charitable wings to raise funds to battle environmental issues can go a long way to make the aim of this pledge successful.
One can even inculcate eco-friendly ways and lifestyle, join local clean-up events to keep community clean, afforestation activities and learn about sustainability and the environment.