Not only do they stabilise global climate patterns, they also support healthy micro-climates and limit the Earth’s reflectivity. This in turn regulates ocean currents, wind patterns, and rainfall. Forests are crucial to maintaining the balance of several marvellously efficient, interdependent ecosystems. Forests also provide habitat for 80 percent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity and livelihoods for 1.6 billion people. (Rainforest Alliance)

Our oceans are home to most of the life on our planet and play a central role in the world‘s natural systems, like regulating our climate and absorbing carbon dioxide. They provide livelihoods to countless fishermen and others around the world. The oceans are vast, but they are not immune to human influence. We have already altered or destroyed marine ecosystems and driven million-year-old species to the brink of extinction. According to a study published in Science, less than 4 percent of the oceans remain unaffected by human activity. The good news is that we can restore the oceans to their former glory. (Oceana)

A lack of trained teachers, inadequate learning materials, makeshift classes and poor sanitation facilities make learning difficult for many children. Others come to school too hungry, sick or exhausted from work or household tasks to benefit from their lessons. The consequences are grave: An estimated 617 million children and adolescents around the world are unable to reach minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics - even though two thirds of them are in school. This learning crisis is the greatest global challenge to preparing children and adolescents for life, work and active citizenship. (Unicef)

Globally, an estimated 149 million children under age five are developmentally stunted as a result of chronic malnutrition in the first 1,000 days. Research in the fields of neuroscience, biology and early childhood development, provide powerful insights into how nutrition, relationships, and environments in the 1,000 days between a woman’s pregnancy and a child’s 2nd birthday shape future outcomes. (1000 Days)

You also have the right to agree or disagree with those in power, and to express these opinions in peaceful protests. The right to freedom of expression is enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which sets out in broad terms the human rights that each of us has. Exercising these rights - without fear or unlawful interference - is central to living in an open and fair society; one in which people can access justice and enjoy their human rights. Under international human rights law, no one can be detained without a legitimate reason and, anyone accused of a crime has the right to a fair trial. But in many countries throughout the world, no proper process is followed and no safeguards are in place: such as lawyers present during interrogations; independent doctors on-hand to examine detainees; contact with families and ensuring confessions obtained by torture can never be used as evidence. (Amnesty International)

Dementia is a syndrome - usually of a chronic or progressive nature - in which there is deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from normal ageing. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgement. Consciousness is not affected. The impairment in cognitive function is commonly accompanied, and occasionally preceded, by deterioration in emotional control, social behaviour, or motivation. There is often a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia, resulting in stigmatisation and barriers to diagnosis and care. (WHO)