Author: Omobolaji Durojaiye

World Food Day, observed annually on October 16, is a global event aimed at combating hunger. First established in 1979 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, this day coincides with the FAO’s founding and serves to highlight its mission. Each year, various events are organized to raise awareness about the importance of food security worldwide. The theme for World Food Day 2024 focuses on the right to food as essential for a better life and future. It emphasizes the need for diverse, healthy, and safe food options accessible to everyone.

The Significance of World Food Day

Food is more than just a basic need; it’s a vital part of our humanity. This year, the FAO emphasizes that everyone should have access to a diverse range of nutritious foods that are both affordable and readily available. Despite the fact that the world produces enough food to feed everyone, around 10% of people still experience hunger. This stark inequality highlights the urgent need to change how we grow and distribute food.

World Food Day serves as a powerful reminder that achieving food security relies on sustainable agricultural practices. By adopting these methods, we can protect our ecosystems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote biodiversity—all while ensuring that everyone has access to a healthy diet.

How You Can Make a Difference

On World Food Day, there are plenty of meaningful ways for individuals and communities to make a difference:

1. Learn More: Start by educating yourself about the global food system, food insecurity, and sustainable farming practices. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to advocate for change.
2. Support Local Farmers: Whenever possible, buy food from local farmers who prioritize sustainability. This not only helps lower your carbon footprint but also strengthens the community by supporting small-scale producers who care about eco-friendly practices.
3. Cut Down on Food Waste: Be conscious of how much food you buy and use. Planning your meals, composting, and getting creative with leftovers can help you reduce waste at home and in your community.
4. Speak Up: Get involved in conversations about food policies. Support initiatives that focus on reducing food waste, improving access to food, and encouraging sustainable farming practices at both local and national levels.
5. Get Involved: Consider volunteering with local food banks or organizations that tackle food insecurity. Donating non-perishable items or offering your time can make a real difference in people’s lives.

The Journey Forward

World Food Day has been celebrated in over 150 countries since it was established, making it one of the most important days on the United Nations calendar. This highlights the reality that food insecurity is a global challenge, and each of us has a role to play in combating hunger and promoting sustainable food systems.

This World Food Day, let’s take action to make sure everyone has access to a variety of healthy and nutritious foods. Together, we can work toward a world where food is recognized as a right and healthy living is attainable for all. Get involved, raise your voice, and support efforts to create a more sustainable planet.

October 4th is observed worldwide as World Animal Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the suffering of animals. This year’s theme, “The world is their home too!” aims to celebrate animals—whether pets, wildlife, or those raised for food and commercial purposes—as fellow inhabitants of our planet, deserving of our compassion and consideration as valued creatures. From ants and bees to the fierce beasts in jungles, savannahs, and forests, all play vital roles in maintaining ecosystems and, by extension, our lives.

World Animal Day, first observed in 1925, continues to be an annual global campaign that rallies individuals and organizations around the world to advocate for better treatment of animals. This observance traces its roots to the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, whose legacy promotes the protection of animals. Today, his message of compassion and love for all living creatures inspires many to learn about the rights and dignity of animals.

This event emphasizes recognizing animals as unique individuals with feelings, thoughts, and a desire to be left alone, protected from those who exploit them in cages, laboratories, and restaurants. World Animal Day aims to promote this fact by encouraging the community to raise awareness on issues such as endangered species protection, ecosystem conservation, and combating cruelty, abuse, and neglect toward animals. People are encouraged to participate in these activities, while organizations and governments are called upon to enact stronger animal protection laws.

As the world celebrates World Animal Day 2024, we are reminded that our planet is home to a rich diversity of animals. By practising love and dignity toward all living beings, we work toward creating a new global order that respects both humans and animals.

In a tragic incident on Sunday, a 60-year-old man, Malam Usman Maigadi, was killed by a hippopotamus while fishing in the Yauri River, Kebbi State. Maigadi, who worked as a guard at the Emir of Yauri’s Orchard Farm, was reportedly attacked by a mother hippopotamus, likely defending her calf.

The attack occurred in Tillo Village within Yauri Local Government, and it is believed that the animal may have perceived Maigadi’s presence as a threat to her young. Such behaviour is not uncommon in wildlife, particularly with animals known to fiercely protect their offspring.

The Chairman of Yauri Local Government, Alhaji Abubakar Shu’aibu, confirmed Maigadi’s burial, which took place according to Islamic rites. Governor Nasir Idris, in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, extended his condolences to the Yauri Emirate and the family of the deceased, urging them to accept the will of Allah in good faith.

Understanding Wildlife Behavior

Although such incidents are rare, they help us understand the delicate balance between humans and wildlife, especially in regions where natural habitats overlap with human activities. Animals, including large species like the hippopotamus, are instinctively protective of their territory and young. Encounters that result in human casualties occur mainly because an animal feels threatened not because of a hostile disposition.

It matters to note that animals act on instinct, with survival and protection of their young being their primary motivators. Human-wildlife conflicts often arise due to unintentional encroachment on animal habitats, not out of malice from either side. With this in mind, we can foster a greater respect for wildlife and continue working towards peaceful coexistence.

The next article provides greater insight into wildlife behaviour. Read

On September 21st, we celebrate Zero Emissions Day, a global effort to give our planet a much-needed break. This year’s theme, “Give our planet one day off a year,” reminds us of our duty to reduce pollution and live in a way that protects the environment.

Zero Emissions Day began in 2008 when Ken Wallace from Nova Scotia, Canada, proposed a day dedicated to stopping the use of fossil fuels. What started as a local initiative has grown into a worldwide movement, calling on individuals, companies, and governments to cut back on carbon-based energy for just 24 hours. The day’s mission is clear: reduce carbon emissions, promote clean energy, and raise awareness about the negative effects of burning fossil fuels.

There are many ways to take part in Zero Emissions Day and make a real impact:

• Eat less meat: Did you know that vegans produce 76% fewer greenhouse gases than those who regularly eat meat? Even reducing your meat intake can lower your environmental footprint by 30%.
• Make creative choices: Instead of watching TV and ordering takeout, try cooking a homemade meal and enjoy an evening of games by candlelight.
• Shop secondhand: Consider buying clothes from a thrift store instead of supporting fast fashion. This small change helps reduce waste and pollution.
• Refill and reuse: Fill jars with dry goods like lentils or quinoa at a local refillery instead of purchasing pre-packaged items. Learn more

These simple actions—whether turning off lights, using public transport, or planting trees—make a difference. As climate change continues to threaten our planet, observing Zero Emissions Day is a reminder that every effort, big or small, helps protect the environment for future generations. This year, let’s all give our planet the break it deserves.

Tomorrow, September 16, the world will once again come together to celebrate the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. Proclaimed by the United Nations, this day commemorates the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, a landmark environmental treaty designed to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer. This year’s theme, “Ozone for Life: 35 Years of Global Cooperation,” underscores the collective global efforts that have protected this critical shield and highlight the successes that continue to emerge.

Why the Ozone Layer Matters

The ozone layer plays an irreplaceable role in protecting life on Earth. Positioned in the stratosphere, approximately 10 to 50 kilometres above the Earth’s surface, the ozone layer absorbs the majority of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Without this natural barrier, life on Earth would face a heightened risk of skin cancer, cataracts, and extensive damage to ecosystems and crops.

The Global Alarm and Response

In the late 1970s, scientists made the alarming discovery that human activities, particularly the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in products like aerosols and refrigerators, were causing a significant thinning of the ozone layer, often referred to as the “ozone hole.” The discovery was a wake-up call that spurred urgent international action.

Through the Montreal Protocol, nations committed to drastically reduce the use of ODSs, and the results have been remarkable. The protocol has succeeded in eliminating 99% of all ozone-depleting substances and is widely regarded as one of the most successful environmental agreements in history. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) predicts that the ozone layer will return to pre-1980 levels by mid-century, provided the global community continues to honour the commitments made under the protocol.

The Theme for 2024: Ozone for Life

This year’s theme, “Ozone for Life: 35 Years of Global Cooperation,” highlights not only the ozone layer’s role in sustaining life but also the enduring cooperation among nations to ensure its recovery. The Montreal Protocol is a model of how collective global action, grounded in science, can effectively combat pressing environmental challenges. This cooperation has also yielded co-benefits in the fight against climate change, as many ODSs are also powerful greenhouse gases.

Key Benefits of the Ozone Layer

• Protecting Human Health: By filtering out harmful UV radiation, the ozone layer reduces the risk of skin cancer and eye cataracts among humans.
• Safeguarding Ecosystems: UV radiation can damage sensitive plant species, crops, and aquatic ecosystems. The ozone layer helps maintain the balance and health of these ecosystems.
• Contributing to Climate Change Efforts: The phasing out of ODSs under the Montreal Protocol has also contributed to mitigating climate change by reducing the emission of these potent greenhouse gases.

A Model of Global Environmental Cooperation

The success of the Montreal Protocol demonstrates that global cooperation and decisive action are key to solving environmental crises. The treaty has been strengthened over the years with several amendments and adjustments, including the Kigali Amendment, which focuses on the reduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—a group of chemicals used as replacements for ODSs but with high global warming potential.

What You Can Do to Support Ozone Protection

• Choose Ozone-Friendly Products: Look for labels such as “Ozone-Friendly,” “CFC-Free,” and “HCFC-Free.”
• Promote Energy Efficiency: Reduce energy consumption by using energy-efficient appliances, switching to LED bulbs, and opting for natural light whenever possible.
• Spread Awareness: Share knowledge about the importance of the ozone layer and the need to protect it.
• Support Environmental Policies: Advocate for stronger environmental policies that protect the ozone layer and combat climate change.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol in 2024, it is clear that global action makes a difference. The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer serves as a reminder that, together, we can overcome even the most daunting environmental challenges. Let us continue to safeguard the ozone layer for future generations, ensuring that the Earth remains a hospitable home for all forms of life.

Every year on September 7th, Australia marks National Threatened Species Day, a day to reflect on the growing challenges faced by the country’s unique flora and fauna. This day was first declared in 1996, in memory of the Tasmanian tiger’s (Thylacinus cynocephalus) tragic extinction. The last known Tasmanian tiger died at Hobart Zoo on this day in 1936, symbolising the fragility of our biodiversity.

Why National Threatened Species Day Matters

Australia is home to over 500,000 species of animals and plants, many of which exist nowhere else in the world. However, the country is currently facing an alarming extinction crisis. In the past 200 years, more than 100 native species have vanished, with nearly 2,000 more plant and animal species now listed as threatened.

National Threatened Species Day is a critical reminder of the importance of biodiversity for the health of ecosystems. When species disappear, they are gone forever, leaving gaps in the natural world that impact not just the environment, but human life as well. From the iconic koala to the tiny pygmy possum, Australia’s wildlife is irreplaceable, and protecting these species ensures the continued balance and diversity of our ecosystems.

The Threats Facing Australian Wildlife

Today, habitat destruction is the leading cause of species endangerment. As land is cleared for agriculture, mining, and urban development, more animals are left without safe habitats. Bushfires, particularly those fueled by climate change, such as the devastating 2019-2020 fires, continue to threaten countless species. Additionally, invasive species, including feral cats and foxes, wreak havoc on native wildlife, preying on vulnerable animals.

According to Australia’s 2022 State of the Environment Report, habitat loss and degradation threaten nearly 70% of the nation’s endangered species. Ongoing destruction is particularly dangerous for the 556 species on the national threatened fauna list and the 1,402 species on the threatened flora list.

Celebrating Conservation Efforts

National Threatened Species Day is not only a day of reflection but also a celebration of the ongoing work to protect Australia’s unique ecosystems. Conservationists, researchers, and community volunteers are at the forefront of restoring habitats and saving species from the brink of extinction.

WWF-Australia, in collaboration with other organisations, has achieved remarkable successes in rewilding species and restoring habitats, such as bringing the brush-tailed bettong back to South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula. Thanks to these efforts, species like the silver-headed antechinus have survived against the odds. However, the work is far from over—since 2022, 163 more species have been added to the threatened list.

What You Can Do

Everyone can play a role in protecting threatened species. Here are a few ways to get involved:

• Donate to wildlife conservation organizations such as WWF-Australia or The Nature Conservancy.
• Create an animal-friendly backyard by planting native species and providing safe habitats for wildlife.
• Raise awareness by sharing information about National Threatened Species Day with friends and family.
• Volunteer for conservation projects that work to protect local wildlife.

National Threatened Species Day is a powerful reminder of the responsibility we share to safeguard the future of Australia’s unique wildlife. By taking action today, we can ensure that the fates of species like the Tasmanian tiger are not repeated. Let’s come together to protect the plants and animals that make Australia one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.