How to Observe World Habitat Day

In 1985, the United Nations General Assembly designated the first Monday of October as World Habitat Day. [1] This day is celebrated to focus on the basic right of every human being to an adequate shelter with clean air, water, affordable transport, energy and a healthy living environment. It is to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat. This day is intended to create a more sustainable world around us. Would you like to do your part to help on this day? Read this wikiHow to learn what you can do.

1

Get to know the theme of the year.

  1. In 2021, the theme is Climate Change. [2] This day, in 2021 aims to speed up urban action for a carbon-free world.
    • World Habitat Day plans to create a more sustainable carbon-free world and encourage local governments to develop zero-carbon plans in the run-up to the international climate change summit COP26 in November. [3]
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2

Educate yourself about climate change.

  1. [4] It's important to understand climate change, because it'll help you develop a better understanding of the concept, and help you understand the seriousness of the ongoing crisis. It's essential to find reliable information, and exchange knowledge among each other. Sources of information could be anything—the internet, books, other people. But it is also important to find creditable information.
    • Activities such as burning fuels release CO 2 (carbon dioxide), which is a greenhouse gas. Other common greenhouse gasses include N 2 O (nitrous oxide) CH 4 (methane) and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), to name a few. [5] Greenhouse gases are present in the atmosphere naturally and are very important to protect the earth from solar radiation that is harmful in large doses.
    • The sun's radiation reaches the earth, and some of it gets reflected back. The rest is trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases, needed to keep the earth warm enough for life to thrive. [6] This process, known as the greenhouse effect, is natural and extremely important for life on earth.
    • However, due to human activities, the amount of greenhouse gases are rapidly increasing. This results in excess heat being trapped, resulting in a warmer climate. This is what is being referred to as "global warming". Global warming is a major aspect of climate change, but "climate change" and "global warming" isn't the same. [7]
3

Reduce your energy consumption.

  1. [8] Access to energy is a human right. [9] However, some information states that more than 940 million (13%) people all over the world do not have access to electricity, while 3 billion (40%) without access to clean fuels. [10] Although although there is evidence of this getting a little better with work by various organizations and local governments, it still proves that people are facing a shortage of energy. While it depends on several factors as to why, one reason is that there is a shortage of green energy.
    • What you, as an individual can help with this water crisis to celebrate World Habitat Day is to help reduce the amount of energy you use. Reducing your carbon footprint, reducing your greenhouse gas emissions, and saving electricity are some things you can do to help. Remember to switch off and unplug electronics when not in use! Switch to green energy if you can.
    • You can also help conserve fossil fuels. Walk or ride a bike, carpool, use public transport whenever possible.
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4

Help reduce air pollution.

  1. [11] However, with modern technologies and urbanization, the air, unfortunately, continues to get polluted. Air pollution is harmful to the environment, plants, animals and of course, humans. In addition, breathing polluted air, in some cases, can cause health problems such as respiratory illness, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, negative birth outcomes, and many more. [12]
    • It is important to take action to reduce air pollution – the sooner, the better. Limit the use of fossil fuels and switch to greener fuels, walk or ride a bike, carpool, use public transport whenever possible. Plant trees.
5

Help save water and reduce water pollution.

  1. Many harmful substances such as nitrogen, bleach, pesticides and metals [13] are getting in with water. [14] Drinking contaminated water can cause various health issues such as abdominal illnesses, nervous system or reproductive effects, and chronic diseases such as cancer. [15] It can also transmit diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. [16] Access to clean water is a basic human right. [17] However, there are many who drink water that is contaminated by human activities. [18] This means that it is important to help stop, or at least reduce water pollution.
    • What you, as an individual can help with this water crisis to celebrate World Habitat Day is to help save water, rivers and reduce water pollution. Try your best to reduce your water consumption and not pollute water bodies around you. There are many ways you can do this. Fixing any leaking taps, turning off the water while brushing, shaving, or washing dishes, taking shorter showers, switching to water-saving household appliances are some of the easiest.
    • Try to help improve access to drinking water, if you can. Get involved or donate to nonprofit organizations like Water.org .
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6

Contribute in other ways to help reduce pollution.

  1. Air and water pollution are some of the most common types of pollution, but not the only ones. Land pollution, noise pollution, light pollution are also an issue. You can do your part to help reduce these types of pollution, too.
    • Reduce, reuse, refuse and recycle to reduce waste, preventing land pollution.
    • Listen to music, radio, or watch T.V. in low volume, don't use the horn when not needed. It will help with noise pollution.
    • Avoid too bright lights late at night, so you don't create light pollution.
7

Help during and after disasters.

  1. People can lose access to drinking water or sources of food. Even people who owned property can become homeless after serious disasters. Many face poverty, which only gets them access to unclean and unhealthy sources of food and water. Many are injured, but lack proper treatment.
    • Fortunately, there are many organizations that are working to improve the lives of such people. Check in with organizations to find out if it is accepting volunteers—many are. There might be able many ways you can offer help.
    • For instance, Afgan refugees, victims of Haiti's recent earthquake, victims of North Carolina's recent flood, victims of Califormia's recent wildfires are currently in need of help, just to name a few.
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8

Provide temporary shelter for disaster victims, if you can.

  1. Proper shelter is a basic human right. However, there are many people who lack shelter, or have lost their shelters due to a disaster. If you can, consider opening your home to individuals or families who have lost their homes and have no place to stay. If you’re not sure how to get started, sign up as a host with an organization like Airbnb . Contact organizations such as Global Shelter Cluster to find out if they are currently looking for host families to take in displaced people.
    • If you have an extra bedroom, apartment, or accessory dwelling unit (ADU), you can let victims stay there free of charge.
9

  1. Consider donating to one such organization to help and support their efforts. You don't need to donate a large sum if you can't—even seemingly tiny donations can make a difference.
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10

Spread the word.

  1. Informing others about the day is a great way to celebrate it, even if it doesn't seem like it! You can start with family, friends, co-workers and anyone else you know. You can talk about this with them on social media, over text or on the phone, or simply just in conversation with them.
    • You can talk about how and when World Habitat Day started to be observed, statistics about people who aren't entitled to basic human rights and any other facts you might know of the homeless, those without access to energy resources, or about this day.
    • Give them ideas on what they can do to celebrate. Telling them what you do, have done or will do to celebrate, and by giving them other ideas that you've found either through research or in this article, is definitely helpful.
    • Explain everything properly and avoid rushing through the discussion. You'll also want to be prepared to answer any questions that they may have.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.un.org/en/observances/habitat-day
      2. ↑ https://unhabitat.org/events/world-habitat-day-2021
      3. ↑ https://unhabitat.org/events/world-habitat-day-2021
      4. ↑ https://en.unesco.org/themes/education-sustainable-development/cce
      5. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases
      6. ↑ https://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/climate-science-data/climate-science/greenhouse-effect
      7. ↑ https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-difference-between-global-warming-and-climate-change-1?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products
      8. ↑ https://ourworldindata.org/energy-access
      9. ↑ https://www.politico.eu/sponsored-content/energy-is-a-basic-human-right/
      1. ↑ https://ourworldindata.org/energy-access
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6923778/
      3. ↑ https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/air-quality-and-health/ambient-air-pollution
      4. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/ccl/types-drinking-water-contaminants
      5. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/drinking-water
      6. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/drinking-water
      7. ↑ https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water
      8. ↑ https://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/human_right_to_water.shtml
      9. ↑ https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water
      10. ↑ https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-scams

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