JMC celebrates World Health Day, which is a worldwide health day that has been celebrated once a year on April 7th since 1948. The theme this year is “Protecting health from climate change by putting health at the center of the global dialogue about climate change.” The simplest of choices we make each day can make a huge difference. For example, using a recyclable bag instead of a plastic bag when we are at the grocery store can reduce our amount of waste each year.
There are many impacts of climate change including a global temperature rise, warming ocean, shrinking ice sheets, extreme events, and ocean acidification. People across the globe have become more health conscious in recent years by creating higher standards for ourselves, such as healthier eating, routine exercise and reducing caffeine/alcohol intake.
We should all do our part to protect the environment and promote positive changes to help slow the negative impacts to our climate. Here are a few suggestions:
· We should conserve energy by insulating our homes and the buildings we work in to become more energy efficient;
· We can also help by planting trees and supporting small businesses that promote clean removal of waste to help save the environment;
· Instead of driving to work, ride your bike or walk;
· Put your drinks in an environmentally-friendly reusable stainless-steel bottle instead of chemically-contaminated plastic bottles;
· Choose locally grown or organic food;
· Replace harsh household cleaners (full of chemicals) with natural products such as white vinegar and baking soda; and
· Eat less meat – and more vegetables - to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce obesity and heart disease.
Let’s help promote quality health for not only ourselves, but the environment that we live in. We can do that by protecting the environment, reducing the amount we drive, using recyclables, and using more natural cleaning supplies. This allows us to get more exercise, spend less money, and to prohibit the harsh chemicals from entering our lungs.
“We can increase not only our resilience, but also the resilience of our precious Earth, if we do our part to practice good health for ourselves and our environment,” said Sherrie Newman, JMC Wellness coordinator.
For more information, visit the following resources:
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/what-can-we-do-slow-or-stop-global-warming
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