We currently live in what feels like a strange dystopian future, with Covid-19 affecting the entire planet, we live in very uncertain times. The current pandemic, along with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day passing last week, is the perfect time to promote the importance of global collaboration. Only unity will help us prosper to a healthier, cleaner future. Covid-19 is undoubtedly hellacious, however there are some positives that shouldn’t be overlooked. Firstly the virus has exposed the illegal wildlife trade to more people than ever before, but it has also highlighted that it’s a public health issue. The growing death toll reminds us all of our own fragility, and taking calculated steps to improve public health should be an obvious priority.
As someone who has grown up in the age of online information, I have seen many conspiracy theories around Covid-19, differing from genetically engineered attacks to the ludicrous 5G cover up narrative. I feel these should be addressed as this particular spread of misinformation could be incredibly dangerous. Covid-19 hasn’t been genetically engineered, studies have shown already that the two most likely culprits point to bats or pangolins. Research shows that Covid-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2, is the result of natural evolution and not the result of laboratory engineering. These conspiracies only detract from the important issues that are at the core of this pandemic.
Immoral cultural practices and traditions need to be altered to improve public health, but also help save wildlife and the environment around us. As most informed people know, the environment is faced with behemoth challenges of pollution, overuse of natural resources, biodiversity and climate change. These concerns are arguably the most important issues known to humanity, but we can’t dismiss more localised issues such as the treatment of wildlife. Before Covid-19, certain cultural practices such as the below mentioned wet markets, were something of little consideration or care to us, but the current situation with the virus has quickly proven that our lack knowledge can be dangerous.
One key aspect of the illegal wildlife trade is in the stock of the ‘wet’ markets, like the one liable for the coronavirus outbreak. For those who don’t know, these markets contain a multitude of different animals, crammed together, sharing cages, covering each other in bodily fluids, then coming abruptly into contact with humans, subsequently fuelling the spread of diseases. Bats are a staple of these markets and alone have been linked to diseases such as Ebola, Sars, Marburg and now Coronavirus. History will continue to repeat itself until the required actions are taken. Over 200 separate wildlife groups have written to the World Health Organisation (WHO) asking for a permanent ban on wildlife markets and these animals usage in traditional medicines. Although this is a great start, I can’t say I'm optimistic of a positive outcome, unfortunately economic gain almost always trumps ecological.
Change can only occur when the masses come together. What seems like a problem for tomorrow is a problem for today. Change your habits, inform yourself, protest, live clean; change starts with you. Covid-19 won’t beat us, but the continuing ecological and environmental decline might.
Jack Newcombe.
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