Between COVID-19 and Global warming which matters more?

Thesis statement

COVID-19 is a short term threat facing humanity today, but global warming is the biggest threat facing humanity over the long term.

Introduction

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by coronavirus. This newly discovered virus has left the world suffer economically, socially and medically. It took thousands lives in the year 2020.World has experienced nearly a complete lockdown. Socio-economic and political activities have seen unpredictable changes. But, the international community has assured the people that within a couple of years anti-coronavirus medicine will be discovered. At this moment, people were asked to take precautionary measures to avoid the spread of the virus.

However, we should not undermine the disastrous implications of climate change. In fact, it is many times more threatening than COVID-19. Global warming is destroying natural environment. Heavy rains, floods and hurricanes are results of global warming. Natural glaciers are melting rapidly. Global sea level is rising. Drought, famine and extreme weather events are also being caused by global warming. Excessive use of fossil fuels, fast growing human population, ineffective implementation of climate oriented laws and changes occurring within the sun surface are the immediate causes of climate change. Indeed, a holistic action is required to mitigate environmental challenges, and the spread of COVID-19.

Why between two global warming matters more?

There is need to understand that COVID-19 has negative as well as positive effects, but climate change has only negative impacts.We are facing a global climate crisis. It is deepening. We are entering a period of consequences, Al Gore.

COVID-19 negative impacts

Indeed, COVID-19 is not just a health challenge. Since its outbreak to September 15 this virus has took life of 925 thousand people. It is said that until anti-coronavirus medicine is discovered, the number of death would continue to increase. Global economic development experienced a steep decline when economic activities were stopped worldwide. Further, local waste management problem has emerged during the pandemic, as municipalities have suspended recycling activities. Moreover, in many countries environmental protection workers at national parks and marine conservation zones are required to stay at home during lockdown. It has resulted in rise of deforestation and wildlife hunting. Besides this, the 2020 climate change conference was canceled due to pandemic. COVID-19 is entailing more challenges for disable persons. Outbreak of coronavirus resulted unemployment and closure of educational institution.

COVID-19 positive impacts

The world has agreed upon the notion of environmental benefits of COVID-19. The Nature Climate Change has reported that daily global carbon emission during lockdown period in April 2020 fell by 17 per cent. This can lead to an annual decrease of up to 7 per cent. Similarly, quarantine and others measures against coronavirus has resulted reduction in mean global high-frequency seismic noise. Reduction in industrial waste has significantly improved the water quality in canals. In short, pandemic one side has benefited the natural environment.

How to fight against COVID-19

Until a proper anti-coronavirus treatment is founded people will have to follow basic precautionary measures to avoid the spread of this disease. Unnecessary social gathering needs to be stopped. Use sanitizer and face mask while attending public gathering. In case of any COVID-19 symptom do your medical test first. If result is positive then keep yourself in isolation. Don’t get panic. Improve your immune system. Follow the proscribed treatment of your doctor. Moreover, media should play its active role for public awareness. Now world should pay attention for improving public health sectors. A collective action is needed to mitigate the challenges of the coronavirus. Global action and solidarity are crucial. Individual country responses are not going to be enough, Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations.

Causes of Global Warming

There is not a single cause of global warming. It has multiple causes.Excessive use of fossil fuels is causing high level harmful gaseous emission into the atmosphere. A report published in 2007 said that after industrial revolution concentration of carbon dioxide has increased 36 per cent, while of methane has increased 148 per cent. Additionally, high level deforestation, modern irrigation system,poor implementation of laws and growing world population are among major causes of global warming. Human population grew from 1.6 billion to 7.59 billion during the course of 20th century. During this period emission of carbon dioxide increased to 12th times.

Besides this, natural changes occurring within the sun surface and volcanic eruption are also causing global warming. Owing to this change weak solar intensity rays are causing less warmth and high solar intensity rays are causing high warmth. In the year 1990 eruption of Mount Pinatubo affected the climate substantially.

Image source: https://rappler.com/nation/albert-garcia-gets-up-close-pinatubo-taal

Manifestations of global warming

Global warming has numerous disastrous implications. Global warming is threat to our economy, health, natural resources and our children’s future. The impacts of global warming are such that I have no hesitation in describing it as a weapon of mass destruction. Like terrorism this weapon knows no boundaries. It can strike anywhere; in any form, said by John Houghton. With fast happening global warming sea level is rising to an alarming pace. Annual rise is noticed from one millimetre to two millimetre. Glaciers are melting very fast. Even the Kebnekaise, symbol of all glaciers, has started to melt in 2008 summer.

https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/environment/climate-change-melts-sweden-s-highest-glacier

Ways to overcome global warming

The international community needs global level efforts to mitigate the challenges of global warming. The first and foremost thing to do is overcome the uses of non-renewable energy sources. Replace the usage of non-renewable energy resources with renewable energy resources. Plant more tress and stop illegal deforestation. Besides this, make UN Climate Change Conference effective. Withdraw of United States from 2019 Paris Climate Accord is not a wise decision. All the countries regardless of their size and development must contribute their share against global warming. Last but not the least; population growth should be controlled to maintain balance between natural climate and living species.

Conclusion

The above discussion leads to a forgone conclusion that COVID-19 and global warming are serious challenges to the world. Based on disastrous long term implications of global warming against coronavirus, it is imperative to first pay attention to climate adaption.