ABSTRACT
The world has already experienced many extreme weather events and the consequences of these events are severe and will become even more severe in scope and intensity. In addition to the risks and crises associated with climate change, the world has also had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in many deaths and socio-economic and psychological consequences. Since both (climate change and pandemics) affect human life in different ways, including population dynamics in terms of fertility, mortality and migration, this study aims to critically review the literature and discuss whether one or both issues will be the most influential driving force. The study also aims to look at the effects on population dynamics by visiting the arguments, results and implications of different studies to understand the diversified effects on society. The examination of the relevant studies shows that the frequency and magnitude of extreme climate events and COVID-19 are spatially different and the impacts of both events are geographically uneven and impose a double burden on humans and their well-being. For example, due to their vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change and the recent pandemic, poorer countries have a lower adaptive capacity and generally experience difficulties rebuilding and recovering from losses and damages. In addition, the results of the studies included in the assessment indicate that climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to affect population dynamics—mortality, migration and fertility. Extreme weather events and the recent pandemic may contribute to mortality differences, migration decisions, and fertility intentions, given the experience of weather events and the recent pandemic. Moreover, the effects of climate change and the pandemic are mixed, with either upward or downward trends, or sometimes both, in demographic components. This study argues for serious consideration of these issues as they will affect population dynamics closely linked to socio-economic, cultural, and political issues. There is an urgent need for detailed studies of the inevitable consequences of climate change and the recent pandemic by examining their impact on population dynamics. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
The pandemic, well-known as COVID-19, has been caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and it has distinct characteristics from other coronavirus-related epidemics. This pandemic has been ravaging the whole world for more than a year now, and no drugs or vaccines have been found to eliminate this virus from the infected people effectively; only physical measures like social distancing, hand washing and face-mask wearing have been taken to reduce its spread and very recently Veklury (remdesivir) has been permitted by the USFDA to manage the critical patients. This disease can be asymptomatic, but when it is symptomatic, it presents with respiratory problems and cold- or flu-like symptoms, which can be diagnosed with a chest CT and confirmed with RT-PCR tests. In this review, the taxonomy and structure of SARS-CoV-2 and history, transmission, epidemiology, pathology, clinical features and impacts of the COVID-19 have been discussed. A summary of possible drug targets, attempted physical and chemical measures, as well as vaccine candidates, has also been provided. How this coronavirus is different from other coronaviruses, the obstacles in managing this disease and the possibility of a second wave have also been reviewed. This review represents a wide range of information regarding COVID-19 and intends to be used as a comprehensive overview in this regard.