We started this 'fire'
Published May 21, 2021 12:07 am
EDITORS DESK
Johannes L. Chua
When man disrupts the normal cycle of nature, dire consequences happen to the point that it reaches a global proportion. We all feel it as the pain of a prolonged pandemic continues to haunt us.
So much has been said and written about COVID that some of us may feel like we are already experts on the subject matter. Whether you agree or not, COVID is a consequence of man’s action. Come to think of it – scientists have said that the virus’ origins may be from animals that we were not supposed to consume; the spread of COVID is more concentrated in densely populated areas, which is a result of urbanization; and it is very hard to contain the virus as man keeps on traveling and moving around. These actions clearly show that there is no one else to blame but us for this pandemic… need I say more?
To support the above statement, a paper entitled “Are bats to blame for the coronavirus?” authored by Albert Balbutin Jr. said: “By merely looking at our steady encroachment on wildlife habitats, and increased human travel, it is no wonder why the coronavirus has spread so far and wide. Add to this the unprepared or weak health care systems of various countries around the world, as well as increased wildlife trade, it would seem that in hindsight this could have been predicted.”
The main point of his paper showed that as humans live closer and closer to forest habitats, it exposed us to more diseases.
The pandemic is not yet over but it doesn’t mean that we can’t plan. Though we must still be focused on decreasing the number of COVID cases and deaths, it is prudent to have a long-term plan such as strengthening our forest conservation efforts. If forests are protected, there is a big chance that we are also protected from future pandemics.
During the International Day of Forests held early this year, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) called on the public “to help sustain healthy forests and create a climate-resilient future for all.”
Forests cover about one-third of the earth’s land mass, providing habitat for 80 percent of the terrestrial species of animals and plants. Around 1.6 billion people, including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures, depend on forests for their livelihoods, medicine, fuel, food, and shelter.
“Forests support the water cycle on earth, maintaining the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity in the atmosphere; protecting watersheds, which supply fresh water to communities; and preventing soil erosion and global warming. They are the largest storehouses of carbon after oceans, storing carbon in forest biomass, soils, and products equivalent to about 10 percent of carbon emissions projected for the first half of this century,” said the CCC in a statement.
Despite the ecological, economic, social, and health benefits of forests, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate – with 13 million hectares of forests being destroyed annually, removing vital habitats for plant and animal species, lowering carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen production, and increasing the world’s carbon footprint.
“Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, which also makes forests become increasingly vulnerable to changes in weather, temperature and rainfall patterns,” it said.
“As if the world needed another wake-up call, the message is clear: the global pandemic is an indicator of the need to protect our environment,” said John Leo Algo, program manager of Living Laudato Si Philippines and a member of the Haribon Foundation.
We couldn’t agree more. We have to start somewhere if we want to recover from a bruising pandemic. There are many ways to help take care of our forests and it starts with changing our old, destructive mindset that we are above nature.
(Johannes L. Chua is the editor of the Environment page)
Johannes L. Chua
When man disrupts the normal cycle of nature, dire consequences happen to the point that it reaches a global proportion. We all feel it as the pain of a prolonged pandemic continues to haunt us.
So much has been said and written about COVID that some of us may feel like we are already experts on the subject matter. Whether you agree or not, COVID is a consequence of man’s action. Come to think of it – scientists have said that the virus’ origins may be from animals that we were not supposed to consume; the spread of COVID is more concentrated in densely populated areas, which is a result of urbanization; and it is very hard to contain the virus as man keeps on traveling and moving around. These actions clearly show that there is no one else to blame but us for this pandemic… need I say more?
To support the above statement, a paper entitled “Are bats to blame for the coronavirus?” authored by Albert Balbutin Jr. said: “By merely looking at our steady encroachment on wildlife habitats, and increased human travel, it is no wonder why the coronavirus has spread so far and wide. Add to this the unprepared or weak health care systems of various countries around the world, as well as increased wildlife trade, it would seem that in hindsight this could have been predicted.”
The main point of his paper showed that as humans live closer and closer to forest habitats, it exposed us to more diseases.
The pandemic is not yet over but it doesn’t mean that we can’t plan. Though we must still be focused on decreasing the number of COVID cases and deaths, it is prudent to have a long-term plan such as strengthening our forest conservation efforts. If forests are protected, there is a big chance that we are also protected from future pandemics.
During the International Day of Forests held early this year, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) called on the public “to help sustain healthy forests and create a climate-resilient future for all.”
Forests cover about one-third of the earth’s land mass, providing habitat for 80 percent of the terrestrial species of animals and plants. Around 1.6 billion people, including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures, depend on forests for their livelihoods, medicine, fuel, food, and shelter.
“Forests support the water cycle on earth, maintaining the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity in the atmosphere; protecting watersheds, which supply fresh water to communities; and preventing soil erosion and global warming. They are the largest storehouses of carbon after oceans, storing carbon in forest biomass, soils, and products equivalent to about 10 percent of carbon emissions projected for the first half of this century,” said the CCC in a statement.
Despite the ecological, economic, social, and health benefits of forests, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate – with 13 million hectares of forests being destroyed annually, removing vital habitats for plant and animal species, lowering carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen production, and increasing the world’s carbon footprint.
“Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, which also makes forests become increasingly vulnerable to changes in weather, temperature and rainfall patterns,” it said.
“As if the world needed another wake-up call, the message is clear: the global pandemic is an indicator of the need to protect our environment,” said John Leo Algo, program manager of Living Laudato Si Philippines and a member of the Haribon Foundation.
We couldn’t agree more. We have to start somewhere if we want to recover from a bruising pandemic. There are many ways to help take care of our forests and it starts with changing our old, destructive mindset that we are above nature.
(Johannes L. Chua is the editor of the Environment page)