World Humanitarian Day calls for accelerating climate action

AMMAN — Amid the climate emergency that is wreaking havoc across the world, this year’s World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is celebrated by coming together for #TheHumanRace: A global challenge for climate action in solidarity with people who need it the most.

“The climate crisis doesn’t affect everyone equally. People in vulnerable communities are already losing their homes, their livelihoods and their lives,” the WHD website said.

The UN called on people to complete 100 minutes of activity between August 16 and 31 to stand in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable people, and to communicate to world leaders at the UN Climate Summit (COP26), to be held in November, to accelerate climate action.

The message the activity wants to deliver is: “In the race against the climate crisis, we can’t leave anyone behind.”

World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on August 19. This day was designated in memory of the August 19, 2003 bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killing 22 people, including the chief humanitarian in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, according to the UN.

“Throughout the year, 35 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection. This number has risen to 1 in 33 people worldwide,” the UN said.

To act more boldly on climate, “I try to minimise food waste, be mindful of my actions and plant my own vegetables,” Sama Ali, an avid environmentalist, told The Jordan Times.

Ali has been a vegan (a plant-based diet) for almost two months, to improve her health and help prevent climate change.

“I have made lifestyle changes that will positively impact my health and our planet,” she said, adding that individual’s actions count, no matter how simple they are.

Environmental campaigner Baraa Ahmad, who started a tree planting campaign in her neighbourhood, said that trees help capture carbon dioxide from the air.

Tree planting is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to fight climate change, she added.