National Marine Week, celebrated annually in the United Kingdom, highlights the nation's rich marine environment. This week-long event, organized by The Wildlife Trusts, began in 2008 and has grown to include participation from numerous environmental groups, marine conservationists, and local communities.

National Marine Week offers a wide range of activities, from beach clean-ups to guided walks, educational workshops, and wildlife spotting excursions. The event caters to a diverse audience, including schoolchildren, families, marine biology enthusiasts, and seasoned environmentalists, all united by a shared mission to safeguard the UK's coastal and marine heritage.
National Marine Week also aims to educate the public about marine environmental threats like pollution, overfishing, and climate change. The event fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of marine life, encouraging more sustainable practices and active participation in conservation efforts.

Over the years, National Marine Week has emerged as a pivotal event in the UK's environmental calendar, galvanizing thousands to step up and protect the marine environment for future generations.

Africa

Jul

Donate Life Week (AU): July 28 - August 4

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Donate Life Week in Australia brings awareness to the organ donor program and encourages people to sign up. The Australian Organ and Tissue Authority website includes resources for organizations wishing to participate. Organ transplants have been around for over 60 years. The first successful transplant was performed with a kidney in the United States in 1954.

Africa

Jul

Pain Week (AU): July 22-28

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You know how much pain can rule your life if you have it. Pain affects everything: your ability to do your job, your ability to enjoy life, your relationships, mood, ability to sleep, absolutely everything. Pain Week in Australia focuses on what you can do and safe methods of managing (and avoiding) pain. It also is the week Chronic Pain Australia conducts its annual National Pain Survey. The results of each year's study are released toward the end of the year.

Africa

Jul

Single Working Women's Week: July 29 - August 4

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Single Working Women's Day and Single Working Women's Week honor women who work, bringing home their bacon without support. Often single women face casual discrimination such as being judged on their looks, their age, and statements like: "She doesn't have a family to support; therefore, she doesn't need __________ like so and so." "She will get married, so there is no need to promote her." "She's in one of her moods today. Probably that time of the month." Discrimination includes actions like the sales team going to a strip club, playing golf when she doesn't, or using references to sports or sex that exclude or shame her in team building. Barbara Payne realized that there is no celebration to commemorate working single women. She created this day to provide support, advice, and encouragement for single women in the workplace. Fifty-one percent of women in the United States are single. Working is a challenge for anyone; however, women who work and are part of a recognized couple tend to benefit more than their single counterparts in many ways. These include lower taxes, taking advantage of bulk pricing, better restaurant seating, support after a rough day, and someone to share child-rearing. Then there are the everyday tasks like running to the dry cleaner and picking up milk after work. When you're single, you do it all. And if you lose your job, no one can help with the expenses until you get a new one. Of course, being a single working woman also has advantages (if you don't have children). You keep your paycheck. Networking is much easier if you don't have to be home after work and your time is your own. You do what you want. Everything has its perks. Still, anyone who has been a single working woman will tell you that it's demanding but rewarding. This week is a time to applaud your single female friends born without trust funds and show how much you appreciate them. Send a card, give a gift, buy a drink, or write a blog post. Mani/Pedi, anyone? Just don't forget to include yourself.

Africa

Jul

Muharram (M): July 7 - August 4

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Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of four sacred months for Muslims. Today is the first full day, and the month begins at sundown the day before. The header image is from the UNESCO heritage site, Mada'in Saleh or Hegra. It is an ancient city, like Petra in Jordan, once inhabited by Nabataeans, located in the Al Ula area of Saudi Arabia. Photographer: LD Lewis, founder of LEEP Calendar.

Africa

Jul

Butterfly Count, Big (UK): July 14-August 6

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Big Butterfly Count is the second week of July through the first week of August. This nationwide survey updates the status of the environment. Created seven years ago, this has become the biggest butterfly counting survey event in the UK, with more than 400,000 butterflies counted each year. People flock to parks, school grounds, gardens, and forests to count butterflies on a sunny day. Download the identification chart at www.bigbutterflycount.org. Butterflies are environmental indicators and essential pollinators. If there is a decline in their numbers, the ecosystem is stressed. Sponsored by Butterfly Conservation.

Africa

Jul

Dog Days of Summer: July 3-August 11

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The Dog Days of Summer are the hottest weeks in the Northern Hemisphere. They received their name in antiquity based upon the movements of the star Sirius, the "dog star." Pagan societies sacrificed a brown dog to the god represented by Sirius in an attempt to mitigate extreme heat over the coming weeks.

Africa

Jul

Olympics (FR): July 26 - August 11

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A SPECTICAL OF SPORTSMANSHIP:

THE SUMMER OLYMPICS

The Summer Olympic Games are a major international multi-sport event held every four years, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) oversees this premier competition. The Summer Olympics unite thousands of athletes worldwide to compete in multiple disciplines.

The modern Olympic Games originated in Olympia, Greece, between the 8th century BC and the 4th century AD. The modern Olympic movement began with the founding of the IOC by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894, and the first modern Summer Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. Since their inception, the Summer Olympics have been held every four years, except for 1916, 1940, and 1944, due to World War I and II.

The Summer Olympic Games have grown significantly in size and popularity over the years, expanding to include more sports and an increasing number of athletes. Paris, France, will host the games in 2024, followed by Los Angeles, California, in the United States in 2028.

The Summer Olympic Games feature athletics, aquatics (swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, and water polo), gymnastics, cycling, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and many more. The sports program has evolved, adding new sports and removing others to ensure that the Games remain relevant and appealing to a global audience. In addition to athletic competition, the Summer Olympics include various cultural and educational programs designed to promote peace, unity, and understanding among the participating nations.

The Olympic Games are recognized worldwide as a symbol of sportsmanship and international cooperation.

Africa

Jul

Ohio State Fair, Columbus (US-OH): July 24 - August 4

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Get ready for the Ohio State Fair, a favorite family tradition since 1850. Enjoy a variety of activities and attractions, including the famed butter cow, the Nerveless Nocks All American Stunt & Thrill Show, interactive education, free entertainment stages, the Marvelous Mutts rescue dogs performing tricks, a petting zoo, a fine arts show, farm animals, strolling performers, agricultural competitions, live music, an 8-acre natural resources park with free kiddie fishing and much more! Come hungry and try new foods you didn’t know existed, including Siracha Bacon Tots, a Philly Donut Burger, pork fries, and more.

Africa

Jul

Three Weeks (J): July 23 - August 13

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Three Weeks, or Bein ha-Metzarim, is an observance in the Jewish faith mourning the destruction of the first (586 BC) and second Temples (70 AD). Observed beginning in the Hebrew month of Tammuz, on its seventeenth day, and ending on the ninth day of Av, each aspect of Three Weeks has different traditions. There are four levels of mourning, and each level intensifies as it moves toward the end of the observance. Throughout Three Weeks, the faithful are not allowed to cut or shave hair, conduct marriages, or other significant celebrations, as Three Weeks is reserved for mourning. Fasting from meat and reciting the Haftarots on Saturday are common activities. During the final nine days, mourning intensifies with abstinence from poultry, meat, wine, and the taking of hot baths.

Africa

Jul

Air Conditioning Appreciation Days: July 3-August 15

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Think of how life would be without air conditioning. It is a scary thought! The Romans were the first to attempt air conditioning, using fans held by slaves, water via aqueducts, and designing buildings with breezeways. The Persian and Arab worlds further perfected the use of architecture to create breezes. Electricity would finally make air conditioning possible, first with a fan and then via Willis Carrier's 1902 invention, a water-cooled, coiled air conditioner. Like many inventions, he didn't realize what he had for over a decade. His purpose was to reduce humidity in his print shop, and it did that, but he soon realized it could do much more. In 1922, he created the first room chiller debuting over Memorial Day weekend in 1925 with the first artificially cooled commercial venue, the Rivoli Theater in Times Square. Suddenly, places considered virtually unlivable, like the desert Southwest, areas of the Middle East, Africa, South America, and Australia, were suddenly attractive. Air conditioning made it possible, but it would take a while. In the 1960s, only 10% of homes had air conditioning in the United States. By 2007, 86% would have it. Cities including Phoenix, Dubai, Riyadh, and Sydney would not be the powerhouses they are today without air conditioning. Air conditioning changed demographics throughout the world. As the dog days of summer set in, please take this opportunity to be thankful for that cool breeze that allows us to work, sleep and make the most out of the hot (and often humid) summer months. John C Nash created Air Conditioning Appreciation Days.

Africa

Jul

Savan (S): July 16–August 15

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Savan is the fifth month in the Sikh calendar, which coincides with July and August in the Gregorian calendar.

Africa

Jul

Perseid Meteor Shower: July 17-August 24

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The Perseid Meteor Showers are visible from the earth in the constellation of Perseus annually between July 17 and August 24 each year. When over 60 'falling stars' can be seen per hour, the peak days occur between the 9th and 14th of August.

Africa

Jul

Planet Prancer Trek to End Slavery: July-August

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London teacher Ben Hammond uses his summer recess to prance and dance for charities. He came to my attention in 2018 with his ambitious attempt to cross America (over three summers) along historic Route 66 to raise awareness of the 40 million people worldwide currently enslaved. In 2018, he pranced over 1,400 miles (2,253 km), beginning in Santa Monica, California, and ending in Gallup, New Mexico. He explains his US prance's purpose. "I'm raising funds for Anti-Slavery International because to me, modern-day slavery—such as human trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage, child slavery or descent-based slavery—is one of the biggest evils that exists today. I believe everyone should have the right to live a life free from servitude, to determine their own future and to create and follow their own dreams, just as I am lucky enough to be able to do." Hammond is the world's first long-distance dancer, and he's been using his talent and tutu since 2011 to dance over mountains, nations, and cities to raise funds for various charities. COVID-19 (and getting married to his wife during it) stopped his 4,000-mile trek across America for a bit. However, Hammond prances for a charity each year somewhere in the world—just he, a powerful set of legs, and his signature yellow tutu. Follow him on Twitter @planetprancer.

Africa

Jul

Buddhist Lent (B) (Vassa): July 21- October 17

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Buddhist Lent marks the start of the Wan Khao Phansa, a period of three lunar months during which Buddhist monks return to their temples and sequester. It is a reenactment of the habits of The Buddha. He chose to stay closed in a temple during rainy seasons to preserve life by avoiding killing by stepping on an insect or a plant. Monks today spend this period studying, meditating, and teaching. They are allowed to briefly go outside the temple during the day and sleep in the same temple nightly. Banks close on the first day of Wan Khao Phansa in Buddhist countries, and alcohol is avoided.

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