Darakshan Hassan Bhat
The day is celebrated every year under a theme concerning environment, population, pollution, sustainability and all the components of the planet. The theme for this year’s observance is Environmental Health: Creating Resilient Communities through Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, emphasising the connection between environmental health and climate change.
This global occasion stresses on the vital connection between our environmental health and human health. As pollution has curbed the planet and put its inhabitants into unprecedented risks of endangerment and extinction, the day serves as a reminder that the health of our planet is closely tied to our well-being and neglecting environmental protection can have disastrous repercussions in near future. As the population grows so expands the industrialization and urbanisation that put a huge strain and stress on our natural resources like water, air, land, soil, fossil fuels. From the food we eat, the air we breathe to the generation of e waste, the range of pollution and degradation in quality has put almost all forms of life at risk.
It’s undeniable that the temperature across the globe is fluctuating and climate change has become one of the pressing issues. Increasing intensity and frequency of natural disasters accompanied with climate change poses a significant threat to communities worldwide. The disasters like floods, droughts, famines, pandemics not only cause loss of life but also hinders economic and social development. To address the challenges, building resilient communities i.e the communities having ability to withstand, recover from, and adapt to both sudden disasters and long-term changes is important. Disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change mitigation and adaptation to the strategies include a range of activities, from building infrastructure that is resilient to developing early warning systems, strengthening local capacity, and promoting education and awareness among the masses these actions can significantly reduce the impact of natural hazards on populations and minimise the disruption of routine and essential services.
Human activities has been the main driver of climate change since centuries along with some naturally induced factors like emission of greenhouse gases, release of chemical contaminants from industrial activities, excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides in agricultural practices, improper waste disposal like landfills and seepage, accidental oil spills, nitrogen and sulphur oxide deposition into soil by acid rains, mining activities and deforestation causing soil erosion and uneven rains has taken a toll on the life forms of earth. The greenhouse gases like methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases trap the sun’s heat and stop it from leaking back into space causing global warming. At the same time trees that help regulate the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and regulating rain are also under the influence of deforestation leading to global warming.
Efforts that aim at reducing or preventing the emission and activities responsible for pollution, are included in the category of mitigation strategies addressing the cause of climate change while dealing with the effects through adaptation i.e. adjusting systems, policies and behaviours. This includes Risk Assessment, Preparedness, Infrastructure Resilience, Community Engagement and Education. Transition to renewable energies like wind, solar, hydropower energy is needed inorder to ensure long term resilience and sustainability. Local communities must be empowered and prepared to take part in the process. Grassroots and local community engagement are essential for both DRR and climate change adaptation.
Communities can be a crucial point for resilience-building. Participating in local planning, building social networks and support systems, education, capacity building, raising awareness among communities can make us better prepared to manage disasters and adapt to climate changes. Local education campaigns on topics such as sustainable farming practices, early warning systems, and emergency preparedness can be life-saving.
The health of our planet and its inhabitants is deeply interconnected. The collective actions from all the stakeholders is needed inorder to tackle the challenges of air and water pollution, climate change, and resource depletion. As we observe this day, we must commit to making sustainable changes in our personal lives, advocate for stronger environmental policies, and raise awareness about the critical link between environmental health and human health. Only by addressing these challenges together can we hope to build a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come.
