Noteworthy lessons

This is with reference to the article ‘Many lessons the pandemic is teaching us’ (April 28, Gulf Today). BRP Bhaskar is absolutely right in what he says. One is that the virus has shown that the effects of climate change can be mitigated. While scientists and climate change activists screamed their lungs out about the effects of climate change on the planet, the imbecile leaders of countries gave excuses about economic growth and thus, climate change seemed like an issue that could never be tackled.  In just 4 months of its appearance, the novel coronavirus proved every one wrong. Pollution has vastly reduced, the air is breathable, etc.

Secondly, money alone is not sufficient to tackle issues of pollution. Social and political cleanliness matters too. The case in question is the river Ganga. Modi had pledged billions to clean the river, but to no effect. The virus showed that leaving it untouched just for 4 months had significantly reduced the dirt in it.

Thus, if nothing else, I hope the rather foolish world leaders will take stock of the situation. Many issues which they said were impossible to handle, the virus showed it possible.

Joyce D — By email