April 7 is World Health Day. It is a time to talk about ways we can work together to keep the people of our planet happy and healthy. The World Health Organization (WHO) created the holiday. And this year, the group wants to remind everyone that the well-being of humans is connected to the health of our Earth. The theme for World Health Day 2022 is “Our planet, our health.”
One big problem our planet is facing is . The world is warming. Extreme heat can affect the food and water supply. Farmers have a harder time growing important crops such as wheat and rice. Climate change also causes severe floods and . As a result, many people don’t have access to safe drinking water.
Another danger to the planet is air pollution, which is harmful to the and human health. Max Zhang studies humanity’s impact on air quality. “Air pollution is a mixture of toxic things mostly made by human activities,” Zhang told News-O-Matic. He explained that air pollution is caused in part by the “use of .” They include oil and coal. Humans burn fossil fuels to power cars, heat homes, and more. Zhang said this creates “toxic gases” that humans breathe in.
This year, the WHO wants everyone to work together to help the planet. That includes lawmakers. Joseph Addabbo is a state senator for New York. Addabbo hosts events to encourage people to recycle their electronics. He explained why World Health Day is important. “Planet Earth is our only home,” Addabbo said. “And we must act in ways that protect that home.”
Virginia Lyons helps the planet too. She is a state senator for Vermont. Lyons works to pass laws to keep the people healthy. She also works to protect her state from climate change.
Lyons said you can be part of World Health Day too. “You don’t need to be a climate change expert to keep our planet healthy!” she said. Instead, focusing on small actions makes a difference too. Lyons said that may include using less plastic.
Zhang also offered advice to readers. “Speak up!” the expert said. The scientist explained that becoming aware of the problems “is the first step toward addressing them.”
Updated April 6, 2022, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Sufia Alam
