COVID-19

Manifesto for a healthy recovery

"The pandemic is a reminder of the intimate and delicate relationship between people and planet.
Any efforts to make our world safer are doomed to fail unless they address the critical interface
between people and pathogens, and the existential threat of climate change, that is making our Earth
less habitable."
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Address to the 73rd World Health
Assembly. May 18th 2020.

What we have learned from A global movement for environmental and

COVID-19
COVID-19 has taught us a lot. COVID-19 is the most
significant worldwide catastrophe in recent decades.
Hundreds of thousands of people have died, and the
world's economy is likely to be in its worst recession
since the 1930s, according to estimates. The
consequent loss of jobs and money will wreak havoc
on livelihoods, health, and long-term development.
Societies must protect themselves as soon as possible
and recover as swiftly as feasible. We can't, however,
go back to the way things were before. Many
infectious diseases have made the transition from
wildlife to humans, including HIV/AIDS, SARS, and
Ebola, and all current information implies that
COVID-19 has done the same.
health care
People will support even difficult measures if
decision-making is transparent, evidence-based, and
inclusive, with the clear goal of preserving their
health, families, and livelihoods rather than
supporting special interests, as demonstrated by the
COVID-19 crisis. This must be reflected in the
policymaking process. Finance Ministries will take
the lead in defining COVID-19 economic recovery
programs in most nations. Being that there is such a
strong link between the environment and health,
health leaders such as Chief Medical Officers must
be closely involved in their design, report on the
short- and long-term public health consequences, and
sign off on them.
 Prescriptions for a healthy, green recovery
 Nature is the source of human health, so protect and preserve it.
 COVID-19 looks at how we can reduce the risk of new infectious diseases in humans, as well as the
damage we do to our environment.
 Invest in essential services, from water and sanitation to clean energy in
healthcare facilities.
 Handwashing facilities are inadequate in 40% of households. Water and sanitation services, including
soap and water, are the most basic intervention to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other
infections. Access to reliable energy is required to safely carry out most medical procedures.
 Ensure a healthy energy transition as quickly as possible.
 Over seven million people die from air pollution each year, accounting for one out of every eight
deaths. Decisions made now on energy infrastructure will be held in place for decades to come.
Renewable energy sources will tend to be preferred when all economic and social ramifications are
considered.
 Promote food systems that are healthy and long-lasting.
 Health problems resulting from a lack of access to food are now the single most common reason for
death around the world. If the world could fulfill the WHO's dietary guidelines, millions of lives
would be saved, and illness risks would be reduced. Global greenhouse gas emissions would also be
significantly reduced.
 Construct cities that are both healthy and habitable.
 Many trips can be made more efficiently by public transportation, walking, and cycling than by
private cars. This also has significant health benefits, since it reduces air pollution and road traffic
injuries. The COVID-19 crisis prompted many of the world's largest and most dynamic cities to
pedestrianize streets.
 Stop using taxpayers' money to fund pollution.
 COVID-19's economic consequences, as well as the necessary control measures, are extremely
substantial, and will put enormous strain on government coffers. In order to recover from COVID-19,
financial change is inevitable, and a smart place to start is with fossil fuel subsidies. Every year, over
US$400 billions of public money has been spent directly supporting the fossil fuels that are driving
climate change and creating air pollution around the world over the last decade.