Often times when the term “habitat” is said aloud, people instantly think of a forest, desert, or some other unique ecosystem. But that’s not what World Habitat Day focuses on. Instead, it focuses on the habitats of humanity.
Just like animals need a place to live, so do humans, and unfortunately, around 1.8 billion people still live in slums. With another 3 billion people that do not have access to handwashing facilities.
The United Nations made the first Monday of every October, World Habitat Day to help raise awareness of inadequate living conditions.
Housing For All
The theme for this year’s event is housing for all.
As most people have spent the better part of this year at home, it has really helped many realize just how important their home is. However, not everyone has that luxury. Could you imagine being one of the 3 billion people who can’t wash their hands at home?
It has also highlighted how important homes are for safety.
Covid-19 has spread much quicker in crowded homes or in homeless areas. And since housing has been declared a human right by the UN, there is no better time to make a difference.
Habitat for Humanity
One of the best ways you can help your community is to support the Habitat for Humanity organization.
This group’s goal is to make sure everyone has a decent place to live. It will help out families by having them work alongside volunteers to build their home and give them an affordable mortgage.
As you can expect, the organization does rely on volunteers to construct the houses, so everyone can help make a difference in their community. Habitat for Humanity can be found all around the world, so be sure to check your locale.
If you do not have the skills or knowledge to volunteer for house construction, don’t worry. There are other volunteer opportunities. You can also make a small donation at any time.
Thus, anyone can help make a difference.
Why Modern Housing Is Important
Modernizing and improving housing around to world is important for a variety of reasons.
First and foremost, it is a basic human right. Regardless of where you live in the world, you should have access to a home. It helps people stay healthy and safe while providing a peace of mind.
Many older homes and slum areas are not built to the same standards as today. This includes inadequate insulations (sometimes none), which ends up making residents need more heat or air conditioning.
This means more energy is needed to provide it.
As a result, older homes tend to leave a bigger carbon footprint because they are inefficient in many ways. Modernizing homes can play a significant role in lowering global emissions, so it’s a win-win situation for everyone.
The Outside is Equally Important
While the focus is on human habitats, it’s important to remember that our homes often affect other wildlife.
If it is possible, try to make the outside of your home friendly to native species. This can be as simple as growing some flowers for bees, birdfeeders, and other simple additions. Make your home inviting to other species as well.