It’s World Rainforest Day and World Camel Day! Plus Pakistani Climate Champ–Yusuf Baluch, Listeners’ Call to Action!

JUNE 22, WORLD CAMEL DAY AND WORLD RAINFOREST DAY

Not sure why these two important topics share the same day, so let’s start with the big one. Today is World Rainforest Day. Founded in 2017 by Rainforest Partnership, World Rainforest Day recognizes standing, healthy forests as one of the most powerful and cost-effective climate change

To celebrate, why not join the virtual World Rainforest Day 2022 Global Summit? Running today from 11AM UTC or GMT on today, June 22 through 1AM UTC/GMT June 23! For us Americans, that’s 7A East to 9P East on the 23rd.

According to the website, over 40 organizations will convene to explore conservation solutions, hear from those at the forefront of rainforest protection, as well as connect with aligned organizations and individuals from all sectors.

It’s a celebration of all things rainforests, and an educational experience extraordinaire. That’s not from the WorldRainForest.org website. That’s me editorializing after having surfed the site. I downloaded the event materials, and one word—awesome sauce!

The tag line? Protecting forests, supporting their guardians, and building community for more holistic impact.

The summit is billed as a community-powered event by climate champions and rainforest guardians from all sectors. Some of the programs on the docket include:

Youth and Rainforests—the future of forest conservation; Corporate Social Responsibility is good for business; Powered by Mycelium—fungi-based technology and nature-based solutions, among others.

The event is free and open for everybody to join. Register by surfing on over to bit.ly/wrd2022, or click on the links in the Deeper Dive section of this story at TheClimate.org/episodes.

DEEPER DIVE: RF Global Summit Registration, World Rainforest Day, MongaBay, EarthReminder

WORLD CAMEL DAY

Throughout history, CAMELS have accompanied troops into combat as modes of transport, companions, and protectors. They carried food, ammunition, and medical supplies to soldiers at the front. 

Their ability to go without water and carry heavy loads made them an ideal mode of transport, especially in the desert and dry lands. Fondly known as the ‘Ship of the Desert, they are important livestock in arid regions. World Camel Day is celebrated every year on June 22, recognizing how camels are important to livelihoods in many parts of the world.

Here’s some interesting trivia: Did you know camels are the second most common fossil species discovered at Waco Mammoth? Camels lived in North America right alongside our Columbian Mammoths during the Ice Age!

More fun facts:

•           There are three species of camels
•           Dromedary Camel Camelus dromedarius
•           Domestic Bactrian Camel Camelus bactrianus
•           Wild Bactrian Camel Camelus ferus

There are no wild Dromedary Camels. There are feral Dromedary Camels, especially in Australia.

Most Bactrian Camels are domesticated. The only truly wild camels are the Bactrians in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. They are a threatened species and classified as Critically Endangered.The wild Bactrian Camels have been classified as a different species to the domestic animals. In the UAE, camels are bred for racing, for meat, for tourists, and increasingly to supply the vastly expanding dairy industry. Camel meat is healthy and is higher in protein with less than half the fat of beef

BTW, if you’re in London today, the Zoological Society of London is fete’ing camels.

DEEPER DIVE: NPS, ZSL, Rosamond Zoo

PAKISTANI YOUTH CLIMATE CHAMPION, YUSUF BALUCH

Meet Yusuf Baluch. He’s a young Pakistani climate activist who decided to take action after experiencing extreme weather which he says ruined his house. In 2008, when Baluch was around 6-7 years old, heavy rains, another flooded his village at midnight. For the second time.

Because his family could not tell how bad the flood would be, the chose to leave their home in the middle of night. Baluch remembers many people were not willing to leave their homes because it would mean abandoning their animals, their primary source of income. Those folks also thought the village wouldn’t flooded so quickly. But it did. Homes were destroyed. Animals and humans lost lives, which left an indelible imprint on Baluch.

That’s why, despite difficulties organizing in his country, including security risks, he founded Fridays for Future Balochistan. Balochistan is one of the four provinces of Pakistan. It’s situated in the southwestern region of the country.

According to Baluch, Extreme heat and droughts are the other main factor for the climate crisis in Balochistan. People are being displaced, animals are dying, rare species are threatened with extinction.

Why does Yusuf Baluch’s story matter to us? His is but one example of the traumatic imprint climate change havoc is wreaking on the youngest generations of humans. Notably, Baluch channeled those early experiences into action, which makes him a role model and an inspiration.

DEEPER DIVE: FFF Balochistan, DohaDebates, Insta

THE CLIMATE DAILY LISTENERS’ CALL OUT CHALLENGE

Recently, one of our listeners shared her story of how listening to the climate daily helped her deal so well with her climate change overwhelm, that she got out and started working with the local community based group. Then she challenged us to ask you all to share any stories you might have of how listening to the climate daily might have inspired you into action, so we can share them with the world.

Remember, we’re all about sharing stories of people taking positive action to combat climate change. And that’s you listeners. You can hit us up on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at #wetheclimate or Jeffrey at The Climate dot org or Maude at The Climate dot org, also.