Sunday, June 23, 2013

It's a Beautiful World

It’s a beautiful world…sounded the refrains of a song from Westlife’s “Beautiful World” track. Coming to think about it, life is beautiful and we live on a beautiful and unique planet – provided you see it this way. Tucked away in a calm and serenading environment, in the midst of lush green vegetation and tall palm trees swaying lightly in the gentle morning breeze, the sunrise mixed with the whistling of swallows and chirping of cicadas, the water flowing swiftly in the brook beyond and the beautiful white clouds becoming more vivid against the blue sky, ready to radiate the warmth of the sun, and the start of a wonderful new day; the beauty of our world is vividly reflected.

Courtesy: ThenatureHD.com 

Oftentimes, we fail to notice the beauty of the world around us, especially due to the fact that we are always caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Most often, we get swamped and drowned up to our necks in the routines of the rat race – always so concerned about making sure tomorrow is secured, and forgetting about today. And in a lot of instances, the end result is not often as palatable as we hoped it would. Our health sometimes suffer, our families feel abandoned, close relationships become strained, and occasionally, the cords of friendship broken.

Miccom Golf and Hotel Resorts, Ada. Courtesy: Ogheneworoakara.com 

Life can be seen as a river that a lot of people jump in without ever really deciding where exactly they want to end up. Often, it is when we get sucked in by the swirling current, hit a rock downstream or a few meters away from a steep fall, that we realize the occasional futility of our efforts. And in times like these, there is usually so little that can be done to change the outcome.

Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit. - Edward Abbey (1927-1989)

Have you ever taken time out to sit back, relax and really evaluate your location in the schemes of life – evaluate the decisions you are taking, the steps you are taking, and think about where exactly you want them to take you. Have you ever sat down to listen to that quiet voice deep within, or to search the deep recesses of your soul? When was the last time you laid down on the grassy field, took a walk in the park, or watched the sun set? How many times have you listened to the ubiquitous chirping of crickets or the singing of birds?

Courtesy: Xaxor.com

Want to know why? Taking some time off gets you the inspiration you need and refreshes you creativity. You’ll be able to breathe easier literally observing the freshness of the atmosphere. Even your body responds in a happy way – your blood circulation is boosted, a panacea to heart problems, and better immunity. Also, you get to reconnect and bond better with your family – spouse, kids, and friends. And those memories, you’ll always come to treasure and value for a very long time to come.

Beautiful Sunrise. Courtesy: Webmastergrade.com 

“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, "This is what it is to be happy.” - Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

It is not enough to keep working and working and working, all year long. Go on a vacation. Notice the greenness of the vegetation. Observe the beauty of flowers. Marvel at the height of mountains, the broad flow of rivers, the vastness of the ocean, the constellations of stars on the night sky. Go on out on an adventure – a safari, mountaineering, bungee jumping, canoe sailing, boat cruise, etc. Or if you choose to, go out to the countryside. Get out of that hole and see the wonders of nature. Just have fun. It is indeed...a beautiful world out there.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

United, We Can Beat Malaria


Courtesy: WHO Malaria Report 2012
If you’ve lived in Africa before, especially around the middle of the continent, chances are you’ve had malaria before. And it is obvious you survived it, right? Malaria is an illness endemic to this part of the world. It is so common we do not see it in the same light as we see conditions like heart attack or avian influenza. A large percentage of people do not even bother seeing a doctor anymore as they can easily ‘diagnose’ the condition and quickly ‘prescribe’ a couple of medicines to do the job. But do you know that about 219 million cases of malaria are estimated to occur around the world each year and 660,000 individuals die annually from it, particularly pregnant women and children less than five years of age? Sometimes, it is hard to believe that malaria really kills, but it does. There are several evidences to show for this. The numbers tell their own story, and even the cases we see around us are worth having sleepless nights over. The irony of the whole matter is that malaria is an entirely preventable and treatable one.

The main culprit in the transmission of the disease is the Anopheles mosquito, transmitting any of the four identified Plasmodium parasite species between infected and non-infected humans. There have been several strategies directed at reducing the numbers of these biting insects. This is because it is believed that vector control is the most important way to reduce the spread of malaria at the community level. However, mosquitoes swarming in their tens and hundreds are still a relatively common phenomenon in Africa, encouraged by shallow collections of fresh water in puddles and gutters, or around bushes.

The sixth millennium development goal aims at stopping and reducing the incidence of malaria globally. So far, much progress has been made in this regard. Since 2000, malaria mortality has dropped by more than 33%, stemming mainly from stronger prevention and control measures (MDG Report 2012). The efforts of several individuals and organizations need to be commended in this regard as the myriad of policies and strategies for malaria control and elimination seem to be yielding fruits. Examples include The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Malaria Foundation International, UAM, etc. And as a result of these efforts, the use of larvicides, insecticide treated nets, indoor residual spraying techniques, and efficacious antimalarial agents are gradually increasing in most African countries and beyond. This points to the fact that the elimination of malaria is just a matter of time. It would soon become a thing of the past.

Every year, the 25th day of the fourth month is set aside to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. World Malaria Day is a day we need to sit down and re-evaluate our position and our contribution towards making sure that the elimination of malaria becomes a reality. As much as big organizations and corporations are contributing their own quota towards strengthening malaria control efforts, we as individuals need to do our own part. Asides trying to keep our environments unsuitable for the breeding of mosquitoes, we may also support foundations aimed at developing and implementing solutions to the malaria problem either financially or creating awareness of their efforts.

A lot more still needs to be done. We definitely still have a long way to go, but by investing in our future, we can, and we will beat malaria.

Climate Change Impedes Development

Elsie, one of two Stensgard family dogs, sands on the earthen and sandbag dike surrounding the Stensgard home, not pictured, which overlooks a flooded outbuilding as the Red River continues to rise, Wednesday, March 25, 2009 in Fargo, N.D. Due to the flooding, the Stensgard home can only be reached by boat. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster; Courtesy: Boston.com)
My first contact with anything related to climate change was in secondary school as far back as a decade ago, when one of my teachers made me read something about chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and their effect on the ozone layer. Reading through my chemistry text then about how CFCs react with ozone (O3), leading to the formation of oxygen (O2) and Hypochlorite (HOCl), it never made much sense other than just one of the myriads of chemical equations I was made to memorize then. However, recent events from as mild as changes in rainfall patterns, droughts and floods to as severe as melting icecaps, rise in sea levels, and frequent heat waves bring one’s mind back to reality – our world is changing. The environment is transforming and becoming unpredictable. The changes threaten development in many parts of the world.

The issue of climate change is one of the things that have taken over the world stage today. Over the past decade, it has been called everything from “the greatest challenge man has ever faced” to the “greatest hoax ever”. Organizations have been established, countless meetings have been held, several conferences convened, all in a bid to halt the change. But despite all of these, it has been predicted that climate change would continue into the future – the future of our unborn generations – all because of the way we live our lives.

What is Climate Change?

Before going too deep into the intricacies of this issue, it is necessary to clarify some concepts. The term “climate change” has been used to mean a change in the existing climatic conditions as a result of human activities. However, the most appropriate use of the term is a change in the properties of the climatic system occurring over a long period of time, usually over decades or centuries. Changes which occur over a short period such as the El NiƱo effect does not refer to climate change. In today’s usage of words, climate change has become the same as “global warming”. Nonetheless, it is important to keep at the back of our minds that while global warming refers to an increase in surface temperatures, climate change encompasses global warming and every other thing that an increase in the emission of greenhouse gases would affect.

What causes climate change?

As our countries become more and more industrialized, the rate at which we produce harmful substances increases, especially the popular greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and fluorinated gases. The rural dweller that cooks her meals with firewood, the urban citizen that causes air pollution with the emissions from his car engine, and the industries that release large amounts of smoke into the atmosphere all contribute to the release of greenhouse gases. These gases when released go up and surround the earth like a blanket, trapping large amounts of energy within the atmosphere, leading to increased temperatures. This is what is known as the greenhouse effect with serious implications on the health of man and his surrounding ecosystem.

Effects of climate change

The truth remains, no one is spared from the effects of climate change. We have become so used to the stable climate over the years such that a warming environment will lead to changes in our weather, water supplies, environment, agriculture, transport and power systems, and even our health, changes that we would not find palatable at all. The recent heat waves in the USA, and severe storms and flooding in many other parts of the world are some of the evidences of what we are dealing with right now. These events impede sustainable development.

In Nigeria, the massive floods in Lagos and the East come to mind. There have been more rainfalls this year than in any time in history of Nigeria. As floods hit the south, desert encroachment consume arable lands in the North. Water scarcity and drought worsen in the North and affects adjoining parts of West Africa. Food scarcity and famine hit East Africa claiming the lives of many women and children. These are some of the devastating effects of climate change.

One thing about the climate is that some changes are unavoidable. There is nothing we can do about ocean variability or orbital variations; neither do we have any power over solar isolation, plate tectonics or volcanic eruptions with the associated release of harmful gases and particulate matter into the atmosphere. However, we can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases which each and every one of us contributes daily. We can make choices that reduce environmental pollution. We can also prepare ahead for likely impacts of climate change so as to minimize their effects on our ecosystem and our health.

Just as physicians would say that the management of a disease is “multidisciplinary”, the “management” of climate change is multifaceted. We all have our parts to play in this. Talk a walk instead of driving your car if need be. Ride a bicycle, if you do not like to walk. You can start a group in your local community that creates awareness about climate change. Report any company that does not comply with environmental laws to appropriate authorities. You can mobilize people to ensure that government implements international conventions to reduce effects of climate change.

Every human being on earth at every point in time deserves and retains the right to live in a clean future. But in reality, there are two options: to live in a polluted environment with the resulting vicious cycle of climatic changes, or make the world a clean and safe place that the generations yet unborn can live in. The choice remains ours.