We can all learn something about how to change our behaviour to combat climate change,
from the way that we have had to change our behaviour to combat Coronavirus.
Globally, as of 26 March 2020, there have been 21,000 deaths from Coronavirus. In
comparison the World Health Organisation predicts that between 2030 and 2050 climate
change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year, from
malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress
(www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health). Climate change
affects the social and environmental determinants of health such as – clean air, safe
drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter. The costs of direct damage to health is
estimated to be between US$ 2 to 4 billion per year. How are we going to be able to cope
with this? Why isn’t this also headline news? Here in Jinja, we think it should be.
We are yet to know the full-scale impact of Coronavirus, but due to its sweeping impact on
cities, work and travel it has already caused a significant drop in the levels of air pollutants.
In New York for example, levels of carbon monoxide have been reduced by nearly 50%compared to this time last year. Carbon dioxide emissions have also fallen sharply, the canals in Venice are clearer,
there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of flights and we are consuming
less. Yes, these declines may only be temporary, but it offers a glimpse into how
countries and the world could handle a similarly destructive catastrophe brought about
by climate change. To pre-empt this climate crisis, we must act strongly and urgently.
We may sometimes feel small and insignificant when it comes to tackling an issue as
huge as climate change, but just as washing your hands regularly helps to avoid
Coronavirus, planting just one tree, or choosing to walk or cycle rather than drive will
aid the fight against climate change.
Victoria Nile School in Jinja, Uganda, has a powerful quote on the wall of their
office:
If you are planning for short term, plant beans.
If you are planning for medium term, plant trees.
If you are planning for long term, educate children.
All are attainable and crucial and at the Schools Tree Project we have been working
tirelessly on all three. We must learn to teach, inspire and change behaviour to combat
a global crisis and when we beat Corona virus the next big battle will be Climate Change.
Written by
Sophie Hamnett,
Environmentalist based in UK.
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