Days of Awareness: July
Partners in Project Green shares Days of Awareness each month to spread awareness and start conversations. These days may have a social, historical, or sustainable significance worthy of our attention. These are just a small sampling of important days to acknowledge or remember. If we missed any days of importance that should be included, please share them with us.
Hijri New Year – July 7th
The Islamic New Year, also known as Hijri New Year, is the first day of Muharram and initiates the first month in the Islamic calendar. The event falls on a different day every year because the Islamic year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. The word Hijri is derived from Hijra meaning “migration”. The starting point of Islamic calendar represents the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.
Ways to Get Involved:
- Learn about Islamic New Year traditions and how to observe it: https://nationaltoday.com/islamic-new-year/#traditions
Asalha Puja – July 21st
The Buddhist celebratory day of Asalha Puja falls on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month. This day marks the Buddha’s first discourse following his enlightenment. The sermon, delivered at the Deer Park in Benares, India, revealed the foundational principles of Buddhism called the “Four Pillars of Truth”. Asalha Puja, also known as Dhamma Day, is one of the most significant observances in Buddhism.
Ways to Get Involved:
- Learn more about Dhamma Day and how it is celebrated: https://spiritualculture.org/asalha-puja-dhamma-day/
International Self-Care Day – July 24th
The term “self-care” has been made mainstream and can refer to many aspects of what health and wellness means to the human experience. On this day, we recognize that there is much that we as individuals can put to practice to live a healthy life in all aspects of the term. The International Self-Care Foundation has categorized the approach to self-care into seven Pillars:
- Knowledge & Health Literacy
- Mental Well-Being
- Physical Activity
- Healthy Eating
- Risk Avoidance & Mitigation
- Good Hygiene
- Rational & Responsible use of Self-Care Products & Services
Ways to Get Involved:
- We invite you to check out the ISF’s website to learn more about these pillars: https://isfglobal.org/
- Read the Blueprint for Development of a National Self-Care Strategy
UNESCO International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem – July 26th
Although we can’t find any mangroves here in Canada, this day certainly deserves attention in a world with a changing climate and changing coastlines. Mangroves are rare ecosystems teeming with life on the boundary between land and sea. These incredible ecosystems contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection of coastal communities around the world. Marvels of natural engineering, mangroves also act as a form of coastal defense against storm surges, tsunamis, rising sea levels and erosion. Their soils are highly effective carbon sinks, sequestering vast amounts of carbon.
Sadly, mangroves are disappearing three to five times faster than overall global forest losses, with serious ecological and socio-economic impacts. On this day, let us increase awareness of the importance and the rarity of mangrove ecosystems.
Ways to Get Involved:
- Read about what UNESCO does for mangrove conservation: 1.) Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB); 2.) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s – Blue Carbon; 3.) Designating World Heritage sites protecting mangrove forests
World Nature Conservation Day – July 28th
World Nature Conservation Day is an annual event that emphasizes the need for preserving a healthy environment and natural resources to maintain a stable and healthy society. One of the primary goals of the day is to rally support for programs and movements to save plants and animals that face the threat of extinction. As part of The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the staff here at PPG celebrate nature conservation daily and appreciate the extra boost this international day does to raise awareness of conservation efforts around the world. It is important that we acts as global stewards of this world to ensure it can be a thriving place for all living beings to call home for generations to come.
Ways to Get Involved:
- Observe World Nature Conservation Day by taking individual action! https://nationaltoday.com/world-nature-conservation-day/#how-to
If you have any questions about the Days of Awareness feature, please contact Charlotte Hung at charlotte.hung@trca.ca.