AFRICA: West and Central Africa are set to adopt the One Health approach following the recent zoonotic diseases in West Africa including; Ebola, anthrax, and the pathogenic avian influenza. The relationship between human, animal, and environmental health is pivotal to curbing the spread of diseases nationally, regionally, and globally. The advantages of this approach can be seen in countries like Liberia where there has been a reduction in the risk of new emerging pandemics. Also, to strengthen the One Health approach, participation and awareness campaigns in Senegal and Cote d’ Ivoire have been organized by stakeholders to make attitudinal changes, in order to address health challenges and threats at animal-human-ecosystem interface.
COVID-19: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on energy transition has been uncovered by Japanese researchers. One of the primary finding of the research is that the earth is a closed system, and this discovery is pivotal in tackling the global challenge of climate change. Although during the pandemic, the environment reaped commensurate gains in the reduction of greenhouse emission and improved air quality, the Sustainable Development Goals have been sabotaged by rising nationalism. More so, according to the research, the negative impact of the pandemic on the SDGs has been found to affect SDGs 10(reduced inequalities), 13(climate action) and 17(partnership for the goals).
DISEASES: Ecosystems are gradually becoming hotspots for emerging diseases. Experts have confirmed that the Hindu Kush Himalayas bestowed with a wide range of wildlife species brings higher risks of diseases. Human interference with the natural world has launched us into an “era of pandemics” which is caused by zoonoses (diseases that spread from animals to humans). According to experts convened by the United Nations Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, more than five diseases affect people each year and any one has the potential to become a pandemic.
UNITED STATES: The United States has finally withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement. The agreement was a consensual undertaking of countries to limit carbon emissions below 2oC. The withdrawal which was announced in June 2017 by President Donald Trump has taken effect on November 4 2020. According to BBC reports, America becomes the first country to do so. Andrew Light, a climate change official in the Obama administration has opposed Trump’s decision stating how it hurts the US reputation. However, Democratic nominee Joe Biden has promised that America will rejoin if he is elected president.