The World Needs To Unite To Get Rid Of The Virus
<strong>What are your thoughts on the present Corona virus outbreak?</strong> All the crises we see before us today — from air pollution to climate change, from coronavirus to locust attacks that are now destroying the fields of farmers — are about pollutants and viruses that know no boundaries.
Published -
Jul 14, 2020 5:07 AM
What are your thoughts on the present Corona virus outbreak? All the crises we see before us today — from air pollution to climate change, from coronavirus to locust attacks that are now destroying the fields of farmers — are about pollutants and viruses that know no boundaries. The virus — today’s corona — jumped from animals to humans in some wet market in China. But no longer is that market in China part of the shadowy, secretive world. The virus has moved so fast that within some six months, the entire world has been infected; over 10 million cases and counting, and no country has been spared. The contagion has already claimed over 500,000 lives. The role of climate change in natural calamities I don’t even need to explain the imperative of global action on climate change — it is a no-brainer. The atmosphere is one; emissions of greenhouse gases know no boundaries. Just think how the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change has decided to postpone critical discussions on what is todays, and tomorrow’s, most catastrophic global challenge till end of next year end of 2021. What an absolute abdication of its role and responsibility. We also have the powers in a dog-cat-fight for global domination — China versus the rest. I want to stress the need for global cooperation — and trust between nations. The agreement to act will be built on nations doing what is best in the common interest of the world. This only happens when they know that the agreement is equitable, fair and proportionate. But trust is where effective action boils down to — people have to trust their governments and institutions and then take the harsh actions that are being mandated for say, control of COVID-19. Otherwise, it will not work. The impact of corona on countries’ economies We are at a crucial point in world history. The key global institution is the United Nations (UN) that was set up after World War II. It then spawned many agencies and agreements. But over the years, it has made fatal mistakes — never standing up to power and death by bureaucracy and money. It is not about trade alone; it is also about the new global order (or disorder). It is clear that China has made massive inroads into the world’s economy — and this is across the poor and rich world. It has also no qualms about using fear and coercion as the means to achieving its ends. The answer, I hope, will be clear: Fixing weaknesses in democracy is not about less, but more democracy. It means investing in the local on the one hand, and global community on the other. It is about that compact that will keep the world safe; but most importantly, will keep democracy and the rights of human beings and the environment at the centre of our universe. Nothing less should be acceptable. Not now. Not tomorrow. How can countries work together to overcome the crisis? When you think of the prospects in the future, it is clear that countries will remain connected and live in air bubbles — closing boundaries to travelers other than “safe” countries — which will be difficult to sustain. Already, we have seen this in the United States, where gains made by states like New York in containing the virus were lost as the infection load jumped elsewhere. It’s the same in India; it will be the same everywhere. Bubble-wrapping countries to fight the contagion will be, at best, a short-term solution. In the long-run, the world needs to come together to get rid of this virus, or at least contain it. First published in Down To Earth’s print edition
Tags : Interviews