Items filtered by date: September 2023

Fostering a Sustainable and Healthy Planet for Generations to Come

Every year on September 26^th,  people around the globe come together to observe World Environmental Health Day. This day serves as a reminder of the intrinsic connection between the environment and human health. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a harmonious balance between nature and human activities, promoting sustainability and fostering a healthier planet for current and future generations.

The International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) established World Environmental Health Day in 2011 to promote awareness of environmental health challenges and their profound impact on public health. This day seeks to educate individuals, communities and policy-makers about the intricate relationship between the environment and human well-being, emphasizing the need for responsible actions to mitigate environmental risks.

As the world faces increasingly complex environmental issues, the significance of World Environmental Health Day continues to grow. The need for global cooperation, innovative solutions, and widespread awareness has never been greater. By recognizing the interdependence of the environment and human well-being and taking meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future, we can collectively ensure a healthier planet for future generations. This day stands as a testament to the viability of collective action and education in fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and the environment. It is a reminder that our choices today shape the world of tomorrow, and by prioritizing environmental health, we are safeguarding the well-being of our planet and ourselves.

Richa Acharya

Class 6, Rigel

The 16th Sustainable Development Goal (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) is to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. The International Day of Peace (IDP) was established in 1981. It is followed by many political groups, militant people and the general public. The date initially chosen was the regular opening day of the annual sessions of the General Assembly, the third Tuesday of September. However, after the September attacks of 2001, commonly known as the 9/11 attacks, the IDP was shifted to a fixed date- 21st September of every year, which would take effect from 2002. It was also declared that that day would also be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. The peace dove with an olive branch in its beak, which is also a sign of peace, is an important symbol of this day. The United Nations Peace Bell is rung to start this day, after which the UN Secretary-General delivers a speech. This Peace Bell includes coins contributed by people from 65 member countries, and was a gift from Japan to the UN in 1954. The Peace Bell symbolizes hope for peace and has an inscription that reads “Long live absolute world peace”. Every year, the UN chooses a theme for this day, this year’s being “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for #GlobalGoals”. Apart from nations stopping all hostilities for a day, the general public can also do a lot to celebrate the International Day of Peace, by planting trees for peace, holding exhibitions and matches in the name of peace and lighting candles. At noon in each time zone, we observe a one-minute silence to create a “Peace Wave” all around the world.  Peace can also mean improving our interpersonal relations and changing our behaviour towards each other and the environment.

War is not a compulsion - it is a choice. And if war is a choice, peace can be too. As Nelson Mandela so greatly said, “People learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more easily to the human heart than its opposite. Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.” Humanity and peace go hand in hand. The first emotion we learn in our life is love, and with love comes peace.

Jhanvi Pendyala, Class 10 Antares