Earth’s Biggest Threat: Humans or COVID 19

Summary

The article posits that humanity is the greatest threat to Earth, a fact underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has paradoxically improved environmental conditions by forcing human activity to pause.

Abstract

The author argues that the COVID-19 pandemic serves as a stark reminder of humanity's detrimental impact on Earth. While the virus has had devastating effects on human life, it has inadvertently led to cleaner air, less polluted seas, and a resurgence of wildlife due to reduced human activity. This situation highlights that humans, not viruses, are the primary threat to the planet's well-being. The article suggests that the pandemic has enforced environmental improvements that humans were unwilling to make voluntarily, albeit at a high cost. It also touches on the potential for increased unity among people, transcending race, religion, and wealth, as a silver lining. However, the author warns that the lessons learned during this crisis must not be forgotten, and that returning to previous habits could lead to an even steeper price in the future.

Opinions

The author believes that the COVID-19 pandemic is a consequence of humanity's neglect of its duty to the Earth and themselves.
There is an opinion that the pandemic has had some positive environmental side effects, such as cleaner air and seas, which humans had previously failed to achieve.
The article suggests that animals have benefited from the reduced human activity, allowing them to roam more freely.
The author expresses that the pandemic has revealed the superficiality of human divisions based on race, religion, and wealth, and has opened a door to unity, which is essential for survival.
The cost of the pandemic, both in human and economic terms, is considered very high and not worth the environmental reprieve.
The author is concerned that the lessons from the pandemic might be forgotten, leading to a return to destructive habits and an even greater future cost.
There is a call to action for individuals to consider their impact on the Earth post-pandemic, urging a change in behavior rather than a return to "business as usual."

Illumination

Lignum Vitae aka Wood of Life by Annelise Lords

I say that when we refuse to do the right thing, life will do it for us with a hefty and costly price tag. COVID 19 is showing us the price we pay for ignoring our duty and responsibility to our selves and earth. Someone else doing the job for us will cost more than if we did it ourselves. It is showing us that we are the biggest threat to earth. That is not a good thing.

Someone said that COVID 19, though devastating to humans do have some positive side effects.

Our air is cleaner, which means some of our environmental issues have been addressed. We refused to do it willingly so it’s done for us at a price. One up for earth.

Animals are enjoying the earth the way they were meant to be. They are free to roam because humans must stay inside if they want to live. One up for freedom and animals.

The sea is cleaner and less garbage is contaminating it, so is the waste from factories and various business that is allowed into the sea. One up for the sea

Race, religion, wealth, and all of the things that separates us, has no value to us now. That opens the door to unity. Unity is the power we need to survive, all of us. That, we refuse to do willingly, so it is done for us at a price. (I can’t give earth or humans this one, the price tag is too heavy for anyone)

Humans and what they own or possess seems to be the only ones paying a price in this crisis.

So COVID 19 is telling us that we are the threat to Earth’s existence, not a virus.

What are we going to do and be when we defeat COVID 19, and it takes its place in the history books?

There it will be forgotten until the next time.

The price will be greater than what we are paying now, and it will triple if we go back to business as usual.

And that’s what many of us will do. Will you do it too?

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoyed it.