The coronavirus pandemic is the most defining global health crisis of this period of time and the greatest challenge faced since world war two.
By Muhammad Arsalan Buriro
- Introduction
Thesis statement: Although water and sanitation provide a safeguard in halting the outspread of coronavirus disease, however, weather patterns and carbon dioxide emissions have increased the risk of climate change that results in the shortage of pure water.
- Is there any connection between water, sanitation, climate change, and covid-19?
- Sanitation is directly linked with the availability of water.
- Weather patterns and human emissions have increased the risk of climate change.
- Improper sanitation leads to coronavirus disease.
- Why climate change is a self-inflicted injury?
- Climate change impacts badly on water and sanitation services.
- Climate change exacerbates water stress.
- Rising sea levels are causing freshwater to become salty and nasty.
- Does climate change affect the transmission of coronavirus?
- Recommendations to combat Covid-19 and to minimize climate change.
- Conclusion
The coronavirus pandemic is the most defining global health crisis of this period of time and the greatest challenge faced since world war two. The entire world has faced and is still facing the disasters caused by this severe acute respiratory syndrome. According to the current statistics, 101 million cases and 2.19 million deaths are recorded worldwide which is an alarming situation for everyone. To prevent coronavirus, one must ensure standard operating procedures especially proper sanitation. Washing hands with soap and water is considerably helpful to preclude coronavirus spread. But, Climate change has gravely shortened the availability of water. Although water and sanitation provide a safeguard in halting the outspread of coronavirus disease, However, weather patterns and carbon dioxide emissions have increased the risk of climate change which results in the shortage of pure water.
Likewise, there is a direct link between water, sanitation, climate change, and coronavirus disease. Water is a shield against the wall of coronavirus. According to the World Health Organization report, “Drinking water frequently can protect a person if he has just interacted with infected man”. In addition to that, washing hands with soap for 20 seconds or using a certified hand sanitizer kills the coronavirus instantly. Consuming food in cleaned dishes, wearing a mask, nullify touching things, etc come under the shade of sanitation. Moreover, Covid-19 has spread around the globe in every continent except Antarctica. Weather patterns and human emissions of toxic substances and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide have increased the risk of climate change, which has caused the rise in temperature and shortage of water in remote areas. Resultantly, if excessive pure water is not available then coronavirus disease may not be controlled.
Furthermore, climate change is the most significant challenge of the twenty-first century with the potential to cause health issues. 1 out of 4 humans has no access to safe drinking water. The provision of water and sanitation, with associated sustained behavior change, is critical to improved public health. There are a large number of diseases that result from poor water and sanitation, although diarrhea and coronavirus are the most important and most extensively studied. According to the 2019 report by the United Nations world water development, “Over 50% of the global population lacks access to sufficient, safe and affordable water in addition to that required for hydration and adequate sanitation because of rising sea levels make river water salty and filthy”. Hence, climate injury is a self-inflicted injury that must be cured as soon as possible.
However, climate change affects the transmission of coronavirus indirectly. Many of the root causes of climate change also increase the risk of pandemics. Director of Harvard Chan C-Change, Dr. Aaron Bernstein said, “We don’t have direct evidence that climate change is influencing the spread of coronavirus, but we do know that climate change alters how we relate to other species on earth and that matters to our health our risk for infections”. As the planet heats up, animals are headed to the poles to get out of the heat. That means animals are coming into contact with other animals they normally wouldn’t, and that creates an opportunity for pathogens to get into new hosts, today in the shape of coronavirus, and tomorrow it may be a worse situation.
In short, humans have the capability to face difficulties and combat outbreaks. To overcome the pandemic everyone must try to raise public awareness about hand hygiene. Clean water and soap are essential to preventing infections, and the benefits of proper handwashing should emphasize communication campaigns. The government must guarantee that everyone has access to a minimum level of water and sanitation. In addition to that, access to water is going to be limited because of climate change, so use water much more efficiently. Authorities must take action against deforestation, emissions of toxic material in the environment must be eradicated, and schemes of planting trees must be introduced timely to avoid further destruction.
Lastly, water and sanitation are the backbones of a healthy life; they could save humans from coronavirus disease. There is good evidence that impacts on water sanitation services from climate change will lead to direct impacts on health. Adequate availability of water can be ensured if serious precautions are taken towards the betterment of climate. International organizations for disaster management must pay attention by taking valuable steps to save the earth from climate change consequences.