World Humanitarian Day is observed on the 19^th of August annually and focuses on humanitarian aid workers who put their lives in danger to assist individuals impacted by crises such as: famine, lack of education, displacement, natural disasters, war and access to basic goods and services. Being a humanitarian, however, is not just for the heroes on the ground. Everyone can and should be a humanitarian, seeking to promote human welfare and improve the lives of others. The COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world in 2019, coupled with increasingly disastrous climate events, has shown us just how fragile our livelihoods are, and how far we still need to go to improve this world.

This year’s World Humanitarian Day theme is interactive with nature and encourages people around the world to join #TheHumanRace to show support for individuals most severely impacted by climate change. challenge aims to hold world leaders accountable to their annual pledge of $100 billion for climate  mitigation and adaption in developing nations - who contribute the least to climate change but are the most affected by its consequences.. Individuals are encouraged to participate in this challenge by signing up and engaging in an activity of their choice for a total of 100 minutes between 16 and 31 August.

World Humanitarian Day is especially important this year given the recent release of a frightening report by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), signalling what the UN Secretary General António Guterres referred to as a “code red for humanity”.  The report is the result of input from 14 000 scientists who unanimously agree that humans are to blame for climate change and that drastic action is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, now likely to reach or cross the 1.5-degree Celsius warming threshold within 20 years. Climate change, which is caused by greenhouse-gas emissions that destroy the ozone layer, has already had major impacts on weather patterns and climate events. We are already seeing the consequences of the 1.1-degree Celsius warming. The 2019/2020 Australian bushfire, the Indonesian floods, and the locust swarms across Africa can all be traced back to climate change and the situation only seems to be worsening as countries experience record-breaking heat waves, with prolonged rainy and dry seasons. Natural disasters in 2020 resulted in approximately 30 million human displacements, while leaving millions more vulnerable to hunger and poverty. Our reliance on fossil fuelled energy, destruction of natural habitats and high levels of pollution continues to contribute to the climate crisis that we are facing. An increase in temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius is at the maximum of what humanity can cope with and with current insufficient pledges from leaders, the current trajectory will possibly result in a rise in temperatures of 2.7 Degrees Celsius by the end of the 21^st century, resulting in extreme weather and oceans 25m higher than they are today. However, even if carbon emissions are cut by 2030, temperatures could still rise to 1.6 degrees Celsius before stabilising.  

Well-known teenage activist Greta Thunberg has implored the global population to use their voice to pressurise governments to act, especially in light of the upcoming United Nations Climate Conference COP26 taking place in November this year. Solutions and technology that will help ensure these critically important transformations already exist, but the commitment from global leaders is still missing. Giving up 100 minutes of your time between 16 and 31 August is a simple way to show your support for humanitarian workers and individuals suffering as a result of climate change while also encouraging leaders to step up and make changes. As part of #theHumanRace campaign, you can spend 100 minutes walking, riding, swimming or taking part in other activities to show solidarity with the movement. You can also add your voice to the campaign by signing up here.

Given the terrifying findings of the IPCC, it is now more important than ever to use your voice to encourage wide-spread and necessary change.