TODAY -

Climate change and its impact on human lives

Dr Leichombam Sophia Devi *



Since the past decade, climate change has severely disrupted the ecology of the world posing a threat on human lives. It has been a major concern for all the Nations; and international agencies along with policy makers have been in close touch to tackle the negative impact on the human race.

Numerous factors have been considered for the spread of the deadly COVID-19; and a study by scientists at Harvard University found that climate change may be one of the underlying factors. Here, we highlight the role of climate change and the transmission of pandemic.

It was reported by the State of the Global Climate that 2020 was recorded as one of the three warmest years. The average global temperature was approximately found to be 14.9°C, and is above the pre-industrial level 1.2 deg C. According to World Meteorological Organization, the warmest decade on record was from 2011 to 2020. This warm environment gave a favourable breeding period for many germs and microorganism.

There is no evidence that climate change is directly influencing the spread of the COVID-19 but it is believed that global warming is. giving a favourable environment for the transmission of COVID-19 (65%-85% of the variant).

Many scientists and researchers have suggested that climate change can aid in the spread of infectious diseases such as Dengue, Ebola, Anthrax etc. In the previous years also, WHO highlighted the link between changing environmental conditions and epidemic diseases. Studies revealed that one of the root causes of the pandemic such as COVID-19 when linked with the climate change can be taken to be deforestation and other activities like burning of fossil fuels.

It may sound very irrelevant how cutting of the trees can result in the transmission of this very fatal disease but it cannot be overlooked as forests/trees play a vital role in building a healthy biodiversity and is home to many species. When the forests are cut down for agricultural purposes and urbanization, there is a loss of habitat for wildlife animals.

It has been reported that the tropical forests contain at least half the Earth’s species and an area of 17 million hectares are being cleared every year. This alteration of .the habitat has compelled the wild animals to migrate from forest to a place where they can form a habitat.

The spread of infectious diseases from wild animals to humans has been a serious discussion among the biologists and scientists and confirms that the destruction of their habitat by the humans can be responsible for transmission.

Sharing of habitat with the wild animals from the deeper woods results in close contact with them and creates a chance for the germs and viruses from their bodies to transmit to the human community. These leads to the emergence of tropical diseases and outbreaks of new diseases, including massive epidemic diseases like Ebola and Lassa fever.

For instance, the Ebola epidemic which originated in West. Africa occurred because the bat which was the carrier of the Ebola virus was forced to shift to new habitat as the palm oil trees they used to reside Was cut down.

Scientists have revealed that climatic changes directly stimulate a favourable environment for bat species to flourish, have confirmed that they give rise to the birth of the very fatal novel corona viruses. Many experts have even urged the Nations to ban the wildlife markets as they are the main origin of the deadly viruses.

Apart from the loss of habitat of the wild life animals, deforestation and burning of fossil fuels increases the level of CO2 and Green House Gases (GHGs; such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbon etc.) in the atmosphere. The rise in the CO2 concentration is about 400 ppmv (parts per million by volume) in Earth’s atmosphere.

Many scientists have reported that the CO2 concentration before human industrial activities was around 270 ppmv which shows that the CO2 concentration has spiked up drastically. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on climate change reports that by 2030 the temperature will rise to 1.5UC above pre industrial levels.

It was projected by IPCC that the temperature will raise by 3.3°C at the end of the 21st century. This will become very unsafe for Earth and its inhabitants as it will have an adverse effect on the biodiversity and transmission of human infectious diseases.

There will be rise in sea levels, melting of polar ice in the Artic region, change in ecosystem, degradation of air quality, migration of species, destruction in the ozone layer and spread of infectious diseases. Some of the common infectious diseases include Lyme disease, waterborne diseases such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus which causes vomiting and diarrhoea, and mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

From the above discussions, it is seen that the how the climate change is altering the ecology and also transmitting many deadly diseases from wild animals to the human community. To tackle these ongoing crises, many action plan and intergovernmental panel (IPCC) are formed against the climate change.

One of the cost effective and it is considered to the best practice to preserve the biodiversity of the globe is the forestation. It has been reported that around 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide and one-third of the CO2 released from burning fossil fuels, is absorbed by forests every year.

Apart from the habitat to 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, 1.6 billion people in under developed countries rely on the forests for their livelihood. By 2030, the leaders of the various nations and the international community aim to restore 350 million hectares of degraded forest land.

It may be noted that millions have been spent in treatment and development of medicines of the ongoing pandemic i.e. COVID 19. Likewise, forestation can be taken up as an essential task by the human community as it is the primary tool for prevention of the global warming and the preservation of the wildlife habitat.

It is very much important for world to understand the importance of forest and its contribution in controlling the global warming. Such actions will also cut the path of transmission of many diseases from wild animals to humans in the future.


For further details contact:- Public Relations & Media Management Cell, CAU, Imphal. Email: [email protected]


* Dr Leichombam Sophia Devi wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer is Assistant Professor, College of Food Technology, CAU, Imphal.
This article was webcasted on August 10 2021.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #8
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • The fight for survival in Manipur
  • A call for unity from displaced voices
  • COVID-19: Update 08 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Dogs Are Staying on the Ground :: Poem
  • Football Tournament at Heinoukhongnembi
  • Condemns Kuki Inpi's Directive
  • Installation Ceremony of Lions Club, Imphal
  • All that can go wrong has gone wrong
  • Manipur peaceful from Delhi's perspective
  • Bashanta Ras @Govindaji #2 : Gallery
  • Hypocrisy & the betrayal of sovereignty
  • Healing with Art for children concluded
  • Manipur : Champions 24th Junior Natl Wushu
  • Path to Becoming a Leader Who Inspires
  • Van Mahotsav 2025, festival of life
  • The Flavours of Life :: Poem
  • Assault on sensibilities of the media
  • Revival of MPP after years of bitter disputes
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 2 : Ooba Video
  • Jianreilung, Chingamba, Masounii : eMing
  • How Jessami conservation of Nongin
  • Shija Hospitals turns 40
  • COVID-19: Update 06 July 2025 : Manipur
  • The Indomitable Young Souls :: Poem
  • Growing network of drug dealers in country
  • Politics of SoO pact since 2008
  • No takers for disturbance-free education
  • 31st Governor Cup Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • PM welcome to Manipur: Feel the reality
  • Kainkhol wins best Social Message Film Award
  • Distortion of facts: Manipur sports movement
  • Govt services reach Manipur's tribal villages
  • 134th Durand Cup Trophies Flag Off
  • COVID-19: Update 05 July 2025 : Manipur
  • How to take care of oily skin in monsoon
  • First-Ever Tripura Esports Championship
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025