World Environment Day … We all feel concerned except Trump!
Today is World Environment Day, the largest annual event across the globe for positive environmental action! Since its first celebration on 5 June 1974, millions of people across the world have taken part in thousands of events to raise awareness and generate political momentum around growing concerns such as the depletion of the ozone layer, toxic chemicals, desertification and global warming. 1
We should all feel concerned, as climate change could raise serious health issues for our children and the future generations. The fundamental research of my father, Mirko Beljanski, pioneer of modern environmental medicine, brought to light the fact that, when exposed to certain pollutants, the normal structure of DNA is altered and destabilized, and that this progressive and cumulative process can lead to cancer, although this outcome is not even officially listed in the assessment list below.
What you can do today to help
Let’s face it: our political leaders are not going to do much, either because they oppose the paris Accord on global warming, or because they are for it, but have limited resources and power. Despite a growing “Green” movement, we are polluting our environment more and more every day. It is time to take an environmental approach to health by looking at our surroundings and getting rid of the toxins that are making us sick, not just by taking another pill to numb the symptoms.
Climate change may be a global problem, but as individuals we are all responsible for protecting our planet through our daily life choices… small acts summed up around the world can make a big difference. Start simply with things you can change in your everyday environment, such as using glass instead of plastic, recycling… – with a bit of practice, it’s possible for everyone to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Remember that by keeping our planet healthy, we keep ourselves healthy too.
SOURCES
1 – http://www.climateactionprogramme.org/news/world-environment-day-2017-connecting-people-to-nature
2 – USGCRP, 2016: The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment. Crimmins, A., J. Balbus, J.L. Gamble, C.B. Beard, J.E. Bell, D. Dodgen, R.J. Eisen, N. Fann, M.D. Hawkins, S.C. Herring, L. Jantarasami, D.M. Mills, S. Saha, M.C. Sarofim, J. Trtanj, and L. Ziska, Eds. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 312 pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.7930/J0R49NQX