Global Health and Environmental Protection are Inseparable

The Consequences of COVID-19 and Climate Change Combined

At the start of 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic gripped the world, attention on climate change waned. For at least six months, global warming seemed like a secondary concern despite alarming developments such as the unprecedented loss of Arctic sea ice and record-high global temperatures. The planet’s heating, an ongoing crisis, was sidelined as efforts to address climate change stalled.

The pandemic reshaped human habits dramatically, as lockdowns, travel restrictions, and remote work altered patterns of human interaction and consumption. In 2020, individuals traveled less by air and on trains, thus reducing heavy travel emissions due to COVID-19 restrictions and fear of social contact. For example, air travel descended rapidly—European flights decreased by 90% in early 2020, while U.S. flights were reduced by half compared to 2019. And once more, travel restrictions increased in Europe for the end of 2021. These restrictions presented an unexpected opportunity to reduce emissions. However, environmental gains were undermined by a surge in single-use plastics, driven by the need for cheap and effective barriers against infection.

This dual crisis raises critical questions: How has COVID-19 affected climate change? and How has the pandemic reshaped human habits?

Unmasking Systemic Failures and Inequality

Well COVID-19 highlighted systemic vulnerabilities, but it also raised awareness that the system is not working and that it is not sustainable because the government was not protecting its citizens as it should. Governments struggled to protect their citizens, and millions of people worldwide lost jobs, becoming reliant on state aid or community support. The pandemic exposed a global economic system unable to support all individuals equally, further aggravated by inflation and geopolitical conflicts like the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Climate change and the pandemic have collectively pushed more people into poverty. Basic needs such as health care, shelter, food, and water are increasingly out of reach for many, especially in developing countries. Simultaneously, climate-related disasters—floods, heatwaves, storms, and rising sea levels—threaten communities worldwide, particularly in vulnerable regions like Pacific island nations. Several studies show that climate change could push around 3 million individuals a year into extreme poverty by 2030. In the case of the Andean nation-states, climate change represents the loss of a major source of freshwater that is used for consumption, irrigation, and hydroelectric power and contributes to rising sea levels. They are suffering from melting their glaciers, which poses an additional burden for their development. While the developing nation-states are struggling to recover from COVID-19, they will need support in making investments that can improve and help them create more green jobs in the coming months and years to increase their competitiveness in the climate transition. These crises underscore the importance of prioritising human well-being over purely economic considerations. The pandemic revealed the crucial role of governments in ensuring societal resilience and highlighted gaps in their effectiveness. It also stressed the moral responsibility of developed nations to assist developing nations in meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated the fundamental interdependence between markets and sustainability issues, the urgency to build a coherent and complete system of standards, principles, and guidance for how to improve sustainability impacts has never been greater.

The Link Between Health and Climate

The connection between climate action and pandemic prevention is clear. Deforestation and biodiversity loss increase the likelihood of zoonotic diseases spilling over to humans. Reducing air pollution from fossil fuels benefits both the climate and public health by lowering respiratory infections like COVID-19.

Natural disasters exacerbated by climate change can lead to social unrest, worsening the spread of disease. The interplay between climate and health crises underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, proactive policies.

Global Action: A Shared Responsibility

Despite some progress, the world remains far from achieving the SDGs by 2030—only 17% of targets are on track, according to the 2024 Sustainable Development Goals Report. Events like COP16 in Cali, Colombia, and COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, emphasise the need for global alignment on climate finance and sustainability strategies. Such gatherings provide opportunities for governments and businesses to collaborate on solutions that address both the pandemic’s aftermath and the climate crisis. This requires rethinking current systems and structures to create more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient societies.

Opportunities Amid Challenges

While the pandemic brought immense challenges, it also offered a chance to rebuild. Governments and businesses must embrace systemic change by investing in clean energy, strengthening institutions, and ensuring equitable access to resources. Developed nations have a crucial role to play by supporting and investing in sustainable practices, transferring affordable green technologies, and committing to climate-focused recovery strategies. Such investments can significantly impact critical areas like clean energy, electrification, forest restoration, green transport, marine conservation, urban resilience, and climate-smart agriculture, among others. There are undoubtedly many ways to address these challenges. However, one certainty is the need for widespread engagement, commitment, and collaboration—not only from developed and developing nations but also from the private sector. In my view, governments worldwide must actively involve and mobilise private enterprises to scale up climate investments in developing nations. We must also consider other global challenges, such as economic instability and inflation, along with the various conflicts that bring nothing but disaster, suffering, and destruction. These wars fuel hatred and division, undermining the prospects for a sustainable and harmonious future for the world. This dual effort to recover from COVID-19 and tackle climate change is complementary. Global health and environmental protection are inseparable, as are the political and social systems they depend on. The only small difference between the coronavirus and the climate crisis was that we did not know coronavirus was coming, but we have known the climate crisis was on the cards for 30 or 40 years.

A Call for Cooperation and Vision

Global cooperation is essential to address climate challenges, with governments playing a key role in mobilising private sector investments in developing nations to drive impactful solutions. The pandemic has taught us the value of immediate action. Can we apply this lesson to the climate crisis? A sustainable transition requires cooperation between governments and the private sector. By aligning on principles and committing to the SDGs, nation-states can pave the way for a greener, more resilient recovery.

Yet, questions remain: Do developing nations have the capacity and resources to track and implement ambitious work programs? Have we truly learned from COVID-19, and can we act with similar urgency on climate change? How do we envision the path to a more sustainable future? Have recent COP conferences delivered meaningful progress in addressing global climate challenges and creating positive impacts?

The answers lie in our collective commitment to prioritise climate action, ensuring that global health and environmental protection remain inseparable pillars of a thriving society.

This article aims to present a brief description and provide some explanations from different approaches to the impact of climate change and its consequences, as well as give a better understanding of global health and climate change.