2022 is coming to an end and the world is gearing up to welcome 2023. This year has witnessed natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and wildfires, in different parts of the world. The root cause of any of these disasters, if probed, is the derangement of the ecosystem. A healthy ecosystem is vital for good human health. It is that one in which all living beings, i.e. animals, birds, and men, live, survive and multiply their number. It ensures enough food, water and shelter for all. A healthy eco system is also linked to the quality and longevity of human life. Among all living species, human beings are responsible to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Because, they are endowed with superior intelligence as compared to others, to execute tasks responsibly and with discretion. Nature has provided for the basic needs of all, but not for greed. The greediness of man has destroyed the healthy, balanced ecosystem. In the garb of development, forests have been destroyed. This has reduced the number of trees, resulting in an increase in the number of lung diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease and even cancer. Natural shelter of other living species is being destroyed, due to which many bird and animal species are facing extinction, and poaching of wild beasts has augmented the problem. Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods droughts etc., are direct outcomes of increasing urbanisation. They cause many health-related problems in survivors, of which, physical injury is the first one. Floods are known to give rise to waterborne sicknesses like typhoid, and cholera, due to overflowing and mixing of sewage water with clean water sources. An increase in the number of mosquitoes causes an increased number of mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, etc. Floods and droughts, both cause food scarcity, resulting in malnutrition in survivors. Climate changes due to a deranged ecosystem lead to the introduction of new disease-causing vectors and microbes in areas where they did not exist before. This initiates new diseases in people like asthma, and skin problems, e.g. fungal infections due to dampness. The use of chemicals as fertilisers, insecticides, flavouring, and colouring agents in food, has provided some benefits for the purpose they are intended for. But it has led to increased occurrence of diseases due to allergies such as bronchial asthma, recurrent cold, eczema, etc. Studies have revealed a large number of chemicals to be the causative agents for an increasing number of cancers of various types. Environmental pollution and extensive use of chemicals have led to an alarming decline in the number of honey bees. If this continues, it can reduce food production around the world, because honey bees are vital for pollination and crop production. Unplanned urbanisation, with cesspools of stagnant water in cities in a tropical climate, has led to an increased prevalence of vector-borne sicknesses like malaria, dengue, etc. Climate changes due to a disturbed ecosystem have led to extremes of temperature, whether hot or cold, globally, with resultant health issues. People in Europe not accustomed to hot weather are facing hot summers for the past decade or so and getting heat strokes. The removal of trees extensively has reduced the relaxed ambience, provided by greenery and shade. This coupled with multiple factors has led to increased stress and reduced immunity in city dwellers, making them vulnerable to stress and related problems and acquiring infections easily. Thus to improve quality of life and to keep good health, it is vital to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Various organisations are promoting measures for environment conservation and implementing them as well. The need is to generate awareness about this, down to the level of the common man, so that a balanced ecosystem can be regained and maintained, which is healthy for all living creatures, including man. Rwanda stands as one of the classic examples, where along with development, due attention has been given to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The writer is a specialist in internal medicine.
