Link between coronavirus pandemic and loss of nature
The coronavirus pandemic has shown just how much human life and nature are deeply and closely intertwined and how disease knows no racial or physical boundaries.
It is also a reminder of how indeed the world is a global village, how much we all need each other and why peace and common purpose, not arrogance and militarism, can save humanity from the risk of conflict and self-destruction.
Further, the outbreak shows that contrary to the growing right-wing nationalist trends reminiscent of the Cold War propagated by some leaders, the world is more secure and safer when we live and cooperate as one, united, interconnected global community.
President Vladimir Putin on Sunday showed this enduring philosophy of humanity and globalisation by ordering Russia’s military to send doctors, and medical equipment to help Italy – the world’s worst coronavirus-hit nation.
After 800 Italians died of the disease on Saturday, raising the toll to 4,500, a tearful Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared: “Can’t understand what more we can do, all solutions are exhausted. Our only hope remains in the sky. God rescue your people.”
This despite Italy having one of the best healthcare facilities in the world.
The pandemic reminds of the vital importance of the United Nations and its critical agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) to humanity in rallying the global community to collectively and inclusively focus on mitigation and solutions to our shared problems.
March has been significant for the UN and for Kenya. It is the month the country announced its first coronavirus case and the month President Uhuru Kenyatta created Nairobi Metropolitan Services to rescue the county/capital city from imminent disaster.
God forbid the consequences of an outbreak in Nairobi choking from the crushing burden of uncollected garbage, filth, crammed informal settlements inhabited by millions living in sorry conditions, including a crippling lack of water and sanitation.
March 8 was International Women’s Day, an important occasion in the global calendar on gender issues.
Yesterday was the World Meteorological Day dedicated to the safety and well-being of society reflecting topical weather, climate or weather-related issues.
Sunday 22 March was World Water Day celebrating water, and raising awareness on the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water and taking action to tackle the global water crisis.
Hygiene is essential to contain the spread of Covid-19 and other infectious diseases. Wash your hands regularly with water and soap or with an alcohol-based hand gel.
Friday 20 March was the International Day of Forests. When we drink a glass of water, write in a notebook, take medicine for a fever or build a house, we do not always make the connection with forests, yet, these and many other aspects of our lives are linked to forests.
Forests, their sustainable management and use of resources in fragile ecosystems like ours, are key to combating climate change and contribute to our prosperity and well-being.
Writing in the Hindustan Times, Jayashree Nandi says public health experts and scientists link the rise in zoonotic diseases (spread from animals to humans) such as coronavirus to the loss of biodiversity and climate change.
“The coronavirus is now telling the world what we been saying for thousands of years – if we do not help protect biodiversity and nature, then we will face this and worse future threats,” says Levi Sucre Romero, a BriBri indigenous person from Costa Rica. Nature is too precious to lose, let us protect it jealously. —[email protected]
