The world has endured an unexpected onslaught by the COVID-19
virus. The shock of the pandemic has been extremely unconventional in terms of
its size and uncertainty, with its impact dependent on unpredictable factors
like intensity of lockdowns, extent of supply chain disruptions alongside
societal response to the associated public health measures. The pandemic has
been unique in its wide-ranging effects on almost every section of the society.
It has also tested the frontiers of medical science,
which rose to the challenge by developing an effective vaccine within a year. The pandemic has threatened everything that
was taken for granted, viz. mobility, safety, and a normal life itself.
Climate change is a
serious global environmental concern, which is primarily caused by the building
up of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. The accumulated scientific
evidence clearly indicates that if the rate of GHG emissions is not reduced
significantly, there will be a damaging effect on the global climate. Demographic
expansion, over exploitation of natural resources, mega development
projects—with least concern for sustainability and conservation—have greatly
affected the environment.
The
pandemic has also proved as a blessing in disguise. NASA’s images of earth
taken from the satellites reflected an unexpectedly low level of pollution. Due
to slowdown in economic activities, air and water became clean, and birds and
animals got a chance to explore their lost spaces. The pandemic is a reminder
that public and planetary health issues are intimately connected.
This
book contains 8 papers, authored by experts in the field of philosophy,
psychology, engineering, rural development, and economics. This
multi-disciplinary approach about the pandemic and its impact on climate and
environment would provide valuable insights for a cross-section of students,
teachers and researchers in diverse fields.
