Outbreaks of the novel coronavirus disease (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2: SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease 2019; COVID-19) remind us once again of the mechanisms of zoonotic outbreaks. Climate change and the expansion of agricultural lands and infrastructures due to population growth will ultimately reduce or eliminate wildlife and avian habitats and increase opportunities for wildlife and birds to come into contact with livestock and humans. Consequently, infectious pathogens are transmitted from wildlife and birds to livestock and humans, promoting zoonotic diseases. In addition, the spread of diseases has been associated with air pollution and social inequities, such as racial discrimination, gender inequality, and racial, economic, and educational disparities. The COVID-19 pandemic is a fresh reminder of the significance of excessive greenhouse gas excretion and air pollution, highlighting social inequities and distortions. This provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the appropriateness of our trajectory. Therefore, this review glances through the COVID-19 pandemic and discusses our future.
Keywords: Air pollution; COVID-19; Global warming; Social inequality; Zoonotic disease.
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