Who would have thought we would be lucky enough to breathe in clean air, look at clear blue skies, and clean water flowing in lakes while living in concrete jungle Unfortunately this happened as a result of a pandemic across the globe called Novel Corona Virus Disease (COVID 19). Countries are observing either complete or partial lockdown, people are home praying that things go back to normal and animals are confused about what just really happened to the humans. The global economy is trembling, developed countries are tensed and poor countries are struggling.
People around the globe observe International Earth Day each year on the 22nd of April. This is to revive our promises that we have made to sustain healthy and lively Mother Earth. Nature is the sole supplier of human beings without which we cannot stand ground. It provides our sources of food, oxygen to breath, landscape to cheer and animals to play with. It gifts us with fruits and chirping birds like Koel and Myna. We are from nature, meaning our unilateral decisions and greed of wealth harming nature will adversely impact us
We have certainly exploited the nature by every mean. International Agreements like Paris Agreement in 2016 at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) provided nations the direction ever needed. Climate change is inevitable. It was inapt that the confusion and political agenda of Trump Administration made the US withdrew its support. Later claiming Climate change hoax. People are not surprised that the worst situation due to this pandemic is in the United States in terms of deaths and people affected.
COVID 19 shows us the dysfunctional relationship between human activities and nature. This is the red flag for all policymakers to create progressive and environmentally friendly policies. I think this is the time when one must act and play part individually and collectively. Governments around the world must come up with the solution, where nature and human activities go hand in hand. Either it should be in the form of compulsory lockdown for a week in a month to curb pollution, restrict human activities, or in form of legislation. Maybe then we would be able to protect ourselves from lethal viruses like COVID 19 in the future.
What can we do in your capacity We can reduce wastage of food, we must not use a plastic bag if unnecessary, try a bath with minimum water and buy fewer clothes (recycle if possible). The world is changing; we must not live in the stories of our grandparents cause its time to act and make a difference. Act and join organizations dealing with sustainability and environment and pressure groups. Behavioral change is important and we must adapt to the new realities.
Amid the uncertainty, hope lies that everything will be back to normal but we need to let go of our own immature and senseless egoistic approach. Get aware of the surroundings and need to become responsible for our actions. The ecosystem is like a wall remove a brick and the wall is no more. However, there is the much-required implementation of Sustainable Development Goals globally and especially in Pakistan; which covers almost every aspect.
