How do humans affect nature? Primitive human beings had very little impact on the environment. They were few in number, and their lifestyle was not too different from the other predator species. Over time, humans learned farming, started domesticating cattle and the population increased. They started using metals, building homes and accumulating possessions. They also learned the use of natural herbs as medicines to cure diseases and to prolong lives. The population kept rising. The impacts of their activities on natural systems began to be perceptible. Forests were cleared for agriculture. People started using timber. They mined ores, disturbing the land and needed more fuel for smelting. By this time they were living in concentrated groups, in villages and small towns. Then their attention turned from basic needs to comfort. While the term ‘quality of life’ may not have been coined for centuries yet, the concept came into existence.
Then came industrialization, the automobile, air, and space travel, deep sea exploration for oil and minerals, chemical fertilisers, and our insatiable need for energy. Science and technology knew no bounds. No area of the earth was left untouched. The friendly relationship between man and the environment was now disturbed. This causes great harm to the environment, It is called environmental degradation.
We should be aware of the environment. There are many ways to raise awareness of the environment. Environmental observances and global day campaigns are one of them. This environmental awareness calendar can be used to
Decrease environmental pollution, Proper disposal of waste material, Protection of resources, and Protection of biodiversity
World Environmental Awareness Calendar
JANUARY
24 January: International Day of Education
2 February: World Wetlands Day
27 February: International Polar Bear Day
MARCH
3 March: World Wildlife Day
6 March: Anniversary of the Chipko Andolan
14 March: International Day of Action for Rivers
18 March: Global Recycling Day
21 March: International Day of Forests (World Wood Day)
22 March: World Water Day
23 March: World Meteorological Day
7 April: World Health Day
21 April: World Fish Migration Day
22 April: International Mother Earth Day
26 April: International Chornobyl Disaster Remembrance Day
28 April: World Day for Safety and Health at Work
MAY
2nd Saturday of May (and October): World Migratory Bird Day
19 May: Endangered Species Day
20 May: World Bee Day
21 May: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
22 May: International Day for Biological Diversity
23 May: World Turtle Day
31 May: World No-Tobacco Day
JUNE
3 June: World Bicycle Day
5 June: International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
7 June: World Food Safety Day
15 June: Global Wind Day
18 June: Sustainable Gastronomy Day
21 June: International Day of Yoga
29 June: International Day of the Tropics
JULY
1st Week of July: Van Mahotsav (Forest Festival)
11 July: World Population Day
29 July: International Tiger Day
AUGUST
9 August: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
12 August: World Elephant Day
29 August: International Day Against Nuclear Tests
SEPTEMBER
7 September: International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
21 September: Zero Emissions Day
22 September: World Rhino Day
24 September: World Rivers Day
27 September: World Tourism Day
29 September: International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
OCTOBER
1st Monday of October: World Habitat Day
2nd Saturday of October (and May): World Migratory Bird Day
13 October: International Day for Disaster Reduction
23 October: International Snow Leopard Day
24 October: International Day of Climate Action
24 October: United Nations Day
31 October: World Cities Day
NOVEMBER
5 November: World Tsunami Awareness Day
6 November: International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
19 November: World Toilet Day
29 November: International Jaguar Day
DECEMBER
2 December: National Pollution Prevention Day
5 December: World Soil Day
11 December: International Mountain Day
