THE NEED FOR CONSERVATION
We frequently ask ourselves what the hype about conservation of the environment is. Why are certain people always on about clean water, clean air, conservation of indigenous plants animals and even micro-organisms that we cannot even see with the naked eye, waste re-use and waste recycling? Is it a trend? Is it even necessary? And the easy part of the answer is – if you care about your own or your children’s health, it is very necessary to heed the calls for conservation – because environmental conservation is not about the plants, the birds, the mammals, the micro-organisms, the water and the air – it is the need for the preservation of human health.
The World Health Organisation estimates that modifiable environmental risks – polluted air, unsafe water and climate change, account for nearly 24% of global fatalities. This means that the air we breathe that is contaminated by vehicle emissions, dust caused by industrial activities such as poorly maintained gravel roads, various wood treatment facilities, foundries and factories, household burning of solid fuels or just poor indoor ventilation is directly responsible for the sinus, allergies and other respiratory illnesses as well as cardiovascular health that eats away at your health.
The chemicals that accumulate in the soil where our food is grown, whether originating from industrial activities – run-off from industrial sites, old infrastructure such as lead or asbestos – contribute to diseases, neurological and developmental issues that eventually cause fatalities, or require costly medication to restore your health.The same applies to the food we provide the animals that forms part of our diet and waste that is disposed of incorrectly.
The water contaminated by industrial activities, raw or semi-treated sewage not only reduces the available water for consumption; it also carries illnesses like diarrhea, establish breeding ground for mosquitoes – posing a malaria risk or other waterborne illnesses such as dengue fever. Even the way we design our cities and communities impact on our health – the lack of safe green spaces limits physical activities, proximity to heavy transport exposes the communities to noise pollution and chronic stress. Noise pollution on by itself disturbs sleeping patterns, result in stress and hearing impairment.
A number of these illnesses and health conditions sound very familiar and then we ask ourselves where all these conditions originate? We create them ourselves by ignoring the need for environmental conservation. So the next time you think that environmental conservation is just a trendy mission for a selected group of people, think about your own health.
