Title
COVID-19 and the end of the Anthropocene
Author(s)
Christian Walzer
Published
2020
Abstract
Two decades ago, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Paul Crutzen and Eugene Stoermer popularized the term "Anthropocene." In this new era, human influence dominates all non-human processes leading to proclamations that "Nature no longer runs the Earth. We do." It is undeniable that profound economic and accompanying socio-political changes drive climate change, biodiversity loss, and species extinction crises, as we exponentially exceed planetary capacity. Today, the Anthropocene is rocked by a virus that has relentlessly spread from its natural environment bringing immense suffering and death to the furthest reaches of our planet. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has successfully recombined from its evolutionary bat origin and acquired the traits necessary to swiftly disseminate among the nearly eight billion immunologically naive humans. Within a few weeks, the pandemic laid bare the fragility of our accumulation-based capitalist socio-economic concepts. Health impacts and death viscerally drive home the implications of global change and ecocide on a very personal level. Similarly, employment, educational, and opportunity losses have unmasked and exacerbated wide-spread inequalities and injustices. As the world releases trillions of US$ for economic rescue and secures 'building back better' recovery packages, the zoo and wildlife veterinary community must actively promote the essential links between the health of humans, wildlife, animals, plants, and the environment. We are tasked with defending science and facts in the face of a staggering deluge of falsehoods, conspiracy theories, and science-negating policies. Our community plays a central role in supporting decision-makers and organizations in understanding that intact and functional ecosystems provide the core infrastructure of life, health, and well-being on our planet. The time has come to step beyond the walls of our respective institutions and grasp the myriad opportunities offered by a coronavirus. As witnessed clearly during these past months, we humans are no longer running the show. It is time to focus resources on the world stage and boldly engage in driving the essential paradigm shift necessary to ensure the biological integrity of the planet for current and future generations.

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PUB35745