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| The world's oceans (Wikipedia) |
Note: From recognition of ecological challenges to simple acts of friendliness, June holidays have a lot to offer.
Get Ready: Have you ever donated blood? If so, what's it like? If not, why not?
There are quite a few interesting and amusing days in June. Let's look at two groups of them today: ecologically-oriented days, and days directly related to sharing with others.
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In the first group is World Oceans Day, celebrated on June 8th. The day was proposed by Canadian delegates to the 1992 Earth Summit, but was not officially recognized by the United Nations until 2008. Today, over 2,000 organizations promote such activities as art contests, film festivals, education programs, and beach cleanups.
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June 15th is Global Wind Day, which celebrates wind energy by promoting its uses to both children and adults. Over 30 countries on four continents recognized the day in 2011, including visits to so-called "wind farms" and workshops. By the next year, there were over 250 events all over the world, including a photo contest.
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The awkwardly-named "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought" is on June 17th. Difficult though it is to say, the commemoration points up a serious problem: climate change and overexploitation by farming are causing more areas of the earth to lose their vegetation, and subsequently their ability to support wildlife. The event has been celebrated since its promulgation by the United Nations in 1995.
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And now for two days that focus on the human side of things.
In a more serious vein (ha!) World Blood Donor Day is June 14th. Since 2004 the World Health Organization has used the day to promote the giving of blood, and to show appreciation to the many volunteer donors who have contributed to the saving of lives.
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Far less serious is World Sauntering Day, on June 19th. Probably started at a resort hotel back in 1979, it provides a pleasant to the jogging craze of the late '70s, encouraging people to slow down and enjoy their surroundings, perhaps chatting with a friend.
--------Read more:
- World Oceans Day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Oceans_Day
- Global Wind Day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Wind_Day
- World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Day_to_Combat_Desertification_and_Drought
- World Blood Donor Day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Blood_Donor_Day
- World Sauntering Day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Sauntering_Day
Practice: Match the term to its definition below:
- craze
- delegates
- desertification
- overexploitation
- promulgation
- sauntering
- subsequently
- summit
- vegetation
- vein
- a fad; a popular activity
- the process of land becoming drier and drier
- as a result; following that
- use beyond what is sustainable
- promotion; putting into action
- a high-level diplomatic meeting
- can mean a blood vessel, but here, means a quality or characteristic
- plant life
- walking casually
- official representatives
Answers are in the first comment below.
Submitted to the Shenzhen Daily for May 2, 2017
Answers to the Practice: 1. a; 2. j; 3. b; 4. d; 5. e; 6. i; 7. c; 8. f; 9. h; 10. g
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