What if there is no Oxygen?
We have witnessed a sharp and persistent surge of SARS COV2 infection. New cases, variants and sub-lineages of the virus concerned us more than ever on devising an ideal fighting mechanism for all. Apart from abiding by the pandemic protocols and participating in the healthcare support movements, what could we do to protect this planet from facing another threat like this?
Let’s talk about the one fundamental and life-saving thing that has been playing a critical role in the treatment of Covid-19. Oxygen.
Oxygen is one of the most critical aspects of life, without which Earth would have been uninhabitable. As the second wave of Covid 19 pandemic strikes globally, especially in India, we witness the struggle for oxygen from various parts of the nation. During the last few weeks, these constant requests swamped the healthcare system significantly. We have seen patients dying in the ambulance and outside the hospitals, and crematoriums were becoming overwhelmed. Many hospitals in cities and towns have run short of oxygen, and cries for help were raised on all platforms to curb the need.
Have we ever foreseen a situation like this? What if there is no oxygen on the entire planet?
Presently, the oxygen level in Earth’s atmosphere is ideal for the existence of life forms. But a billion years from now, the atmosphere will contain significantly less or no oxygen, making it uninhabitable for living beings. During oxygen depletion, many of the anaerobic and primitive bacteria currently hiding will take over. And that might be already happening in some parts of the planet.
Lack of oxygen will deplete the ozone layer, resulting in harmful ultra-violet rays reaching the Earth’s surface, thereby increasing the solar heat content.
Importance of oxygen
1. Oxygen helps in turning food into energy
Oxygen helps to transform the food we eat into energy. This is known as cellular respiration, and this gives them the power to live on.
2. Brain needs a lot of oxygen
The human brain claims only 2% of the body weight, though it consumes up to 20% of the oxygen intake. The brain needs oxygen to create energy. Even a couple of minutes without oxygen will cause severe brain damage.
3. Oxygen plays an essential role in our immune system
Oxygen fuels our immune system, keeping the cells strong and healthy. Breathing purified oxygen will make the immune system use the oxygen effectively. Low oxygen levels can suppress the functioning of several parts of the immune system.
4. Not getting enough oxygen has serious consequence
Without enough oxygen, our body develops hypoxemia. The symptoms include confusion, a fast heart rate, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, sweating, and skin colour changes. This will damage the organs and can lead to death.
5. Oxygen helps to treat lung diseases like Pneumonia
Pneumonia is one of the primary diseases that can cause death even in infants. The oxygen transmission in the blood will be affected by this disease, which can even take life.
6. Oxygen is essential for other medical treatments
Hypoxemia can occur in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, sleep apnea, and COVID-19. Severe asthma attacks can develop hypoxemia. Getting supplemental oxygen for these conditions to save lives.
7. The ocean needs oxygen
The ocean contains many lives, and oxygen is needed for all the aquatic creatures to survive. Unfortunately, they have dipped significantly in the past decade due to climate change. This has a significant effect on marine ecosystems and their balance.
8. Disappearance of oxygen affects the ozone
Depletion of oxygen will affect the ozone layer. It will make the harmful Ultra-Violet rays enter the Earth’s atmosphere causing humans to get affected by skin cancers and many other diseases.
What can we do?
The amount of atmospheric oxygen may be sufficient for the time being. But the increase in carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and synthetic fluorinated gases pollute the air and trap the heat in the atmosphere resulting in global warming and climatic chaos.
The solution is simple — planting trees.
According to the United Nations, active tree planting is a prominent and influential way to reduce desertification. Thereby enabling humans and other living beings to breathe fresh air, free from particulate matter and pollution. The trees planted will also provide food security, and they can also capture tonnes of carbon dioxide, which contributes to the rise in global temperature.
Rebuilding a healthy atmosphere
Getting involved in nature restoration activities will also help us to rejuvenate ourselves. Engaging in tree planting, walking along the woods, and spending time on a social cause will help healthier community residents. In addition, green spaces near communities help in improving health and promote physical activities.
While dealing with a crisis of survival, we have the choice to follow sustainable practices. Healthy air is the fundamental right of all creatures on Earth, and its protection is our responsibility. Nations are busy strengthening the healthcare system for the people. And we now have to take action and inspire others to take a step forward to promote sustainable living.
To know more about We Grow Forest Foundation please visit our website https://wegrowforest.org/ or contact us at on 9778411911 or email at us plant@wegrowforest.org
