World Wildlife Day 2022
World Wildlife Day is held annually on March 3rd, the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. On this day, the United Nations celebrates and raises awareness about the diverse and beautiful forms of wildlife on which we all depend.
The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare is committed to spreading knowledge and providing resources to support our health systems thrive towards sustainability. One essential step toward a more sustainable future is to live in harmony with nature and acknowledge that ecosystems status is deeply intertwined with our health and prosperity. Animals and plants give us food and medicine, purify our air and water, help with carbon storage, and provide us with fuel and shelter.
"We could not survive without them, yet their survival is threatened by us"
World Wildlife Day 2022 Theme
The theme for the World Wildlife Day 2022 edition is "Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration" and will be focusing on designing and implementing solutions to conserve some of the most endangered species worldwide.
How can you get involved?
- Education is a good way to understand how wildlife health affects community wellbeing. To learn more, visit the World Wildlife Day website.
- Register for the #WWD2022 free virtual event, bringing together people at the forefront of conservation. Hear from a company that grows coral to restore dying reefs in the Caribbean to a vulture restaurant fighting for their conservation in Nepal.
- Follow the NHS Forest to learn more about how increasing access to green spaces and encouraging better use of the natural environment can improve the health and wellbeing of patients, staff and communities. Healthcare sites can join the ever-expanding network of NHS Forest sites to take action to address the changes in our local environment. Have a look at our Nature Recovery Rangers programme to see how they can enhance wildlife diversity on your healthcare facility ground.
- Support the Nature for Everyone campaign, which calls for a ‘legal right to local nature’ to be a key component of the UK government’s Levelling Up reforms. Currently, one in three people in England cannot access nature near their home. If the government invests £5.5 billion over three years to delivery nature-rich spaces across the country, it is estimated that this will achieve £200 billion in NHS savings due to the preventative health benefits of green space.
Guest Author
Sara Lemaitre
Sara is a holistic health student with an interest in Sustainability and Ecology. Combining education with creativity to connect people and nature.