Jennifer H Muir | Contact Call Editor
There are many special world and local Environmental Awareness days over the calendar year, and the start of the second half of 2024 seems a good time to discuss some of them for such an environmentally-aware group as Birdlife Northern Queensland. Here are some for July 2024.
6 July 2024
World Zoonoses Day
World Zoonoses Day is observed on 6 July every year to spread awareness regarding infectious zoonotic diseases. The date commemorates the very first vaccination administered for zoonotic disease by French biologist Louis Pasteur, who administered the very first dose of the vaccine against rabies on 6 July 1885. It was given to a little boy, Joseph Meister, who was bitten by a rabid dog. This vaccine by Pasteur not only prevented the boy from getting rabies but also saved his life.
Zoonoses are diseases or infections transmitted from animals to humans, and between different animal species, and between humans. The transmitted agents of the disease/infection could be any bacterial, viral, or parasitic pathogen. They can spread through contact with animals by sharing food or water, and even in sharing the environment with affected persons (think Covid 19!) or pets. Rises in zoonotic diseases can cause problems in rearing animals and in consumption of animal products.
Some of the common Zoonoses diseases are Rabies, Ebola, Swine Flu, Zika, Plague, Dengue and Covid-19, among others. The common symptoms of Zoonoses are fever, headache, fatigue and diarrhoea.
Viral Zoonoses are not easy to treat even though there are vaccines, antiviral drugs and therapies available for treatment. Use of herbal medicines and conscious diet practice may also help in treating a viral Zoonosis. Bacterial Zoonoses, however, are treated by taking antibiotics. The major challenge in treating bacterial Zoonoses is the bacteria becoming drug resistant due to improper use of antibiotics, which might allow some Zoonoses to be untreatable in the future.
10 July 2024
Global Energy Independence Day
Global Energy Independence Day is held on 10 July each year to promote awareness of alternative forms of energy. If you think about all the things you may use on a daily basis, or reasonably regularly, that require energy, you might be amazed… motor vehicle (eg bus, car, taxi, camper vehicle, truck, boat); coffee maker; home heating/cooling; hot water system; computer, printer, etc; oven, stove, microwave, fridge, washing machine, clothes dryer, etc; wood-burning stove. So many things require energy, be it electricity, gas, petrol/diesel fuel, firewood, etc.
Its said that each human in the world uses about 78 million British Thermal Units (BTU) of energy a year. This suggests that the entire population of the world may use over 575 quadrillion BTU of energy each year (one BTU equals the energy released in a single match).
Some of the most common sources of energy that people use include oil, coal, and gas, ie fossil fuels. There are many concerns with fossil fuels. One is that they’ll eventually run out. Other fossil fuel concerns include air and water pollution, land degradation, and global warming. These problems are motivating scientists to discover newer forms of energy that can be replenished. These types of energy include solar, wind, hydroelectric, nuclear, and geothermal.
On 10 July, some companies that produce renewable energy host workshops, conferences, and educational seminars. They disseminate information on energy independence to the general public. People around the world also celebrate the famous engineer, physicist, and futurist Nikola Tesla.
Ways to observe Global Energy Independence Day:
Think of ways we can embrace renewal energy
Watch a movie that features Nikola Tesla, such as “Tesla”; “American Genius”; “The Tesla Files”; “Tesla: Master of Lightning”; or “Pictures of Infinity”
Learn more about fossil fuels and why they reduce energy independence
Share how you are embracing renewable energy on social media tagging
11 JULY 2024
World Population Day
World Population Day is observed on 11 July every year to raise awareness of the urgency and importance of human population issues. It was established in 1989 by the then Governing Council of the United Nations (UN) Development Programme after the “Day of Five Billion” (aka “Five Million Day”) on 11 July 1987.
In 1804 the earth’s population was recorded as one billion.
In the 20th Century, the world human population reached:
two billion in 1927;
three billion in 1960;
four billion in 1974;
five billion in 1987;
six billion in 1999; and in the 21st Century human numbers reached:
seven billion in 2011;
eight billion November 2022;
and 8,119,095,701 at 5:30pm 1 July 2024.
See the World Population Clock:
25 July 2024
Bush Heritage Australia Supporter Morning Tea – Cairns
10:00 am – 12 noon
Thursday, 25 July 2024
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
209–217 Esplanade, Cairns North QLD 4870
Hosted by Bush Heritage Australia.
Hear from Bush Heritage Australia’s CEO Rachel Lowry, as well as ecologist Christine Mauger on a new regional ecosystem found at Yourka Reserve, during a relaxed morning with fellow supporters and volunteers. Its Bush Heritage Australia’s way of thanking its supporters and volunteers for their ongoing commitment and support of Bush Heritage Australia’s work. They look forward to sharing updates of local reserves and projects, as well as Bush Heritage news from across the country.
For further information and registration for this event:
26 July 2024
Women For The Environment Breakfast – Cairns
7:30 am – 10:30 am
Friday, 26 July 2024
Grand Ballroom, Hilton Cairns
34 Esplanade, Cairns City, QLD 4870
Hosted by Bush Heritage Australia.
Bush Heritage Australia is hosting a thought-provoking networking breakfast, featuring inspiring women in leadership providing their insights and guidance on collaboration for a nature positive future. Across the world, business, governments and communities are intensifying their responses to the ongoing threats of climate change, biodiversity loss and associated impacts.
Whether you’re in government or local council, an NGO or not-for profit group, academia, or working in ESG private sector, we’re all in this for a better world, and cross-sector collaboration is key to creating a nature-positive future.
For event enquiries please email events@bushheritage.org.au.
For further information and registration for this event:
Ticket sales close 10 July, unless sold out prior.
28 JULY 2024
World [Nature] Conservation Day
Every year on 28 July, people around the world observe World [Nature] Conservation Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting our natural resources and ecosystems. World Nature Conservation Day acknowledges that the foundation for a healthy society is a healthy environment.
The Day was started in India by those concerned about protecting the Earth’s natural resources. The Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Center in New Delhi promotes the day, and the Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment and Forests, and the Government of India sponsor ENVIS. Many countries have joined India in observing this important day for our planet.
Our planet’s natural resources consist of air, sunlight, soil, minerals, fuels and water. All of these are found in nature and used by people every day. Currently, there are over 8 billion people on Planet Earth. This number is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2037. See the World Population Clock:
Because these resources are being used up so rapidly, many people are concerned they will become depleted. For this reason, many individuals and organisations stress the importance of conserving our natural resources. If everyone does their part, our planet’s natural resources will be available for years to come.
Many conservation organisations around the world hold various events on this day. They include workshops and educating the general public on how to conserve natural resources.
To participate we can:
Think of ways we can conserve natural resources in our homes and community
Teach our children about the importance of conserving our planet’s natural resources
Watch a documentary, such as Yert, a Fierce Green Fire, and The Blue Planet
Read about famous nature conservationists like John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt, Rachel Carson, Sir David Attenborough, and Jane Goodall
Share our nature conservation ideas and thoughts on social media by tagging