I have been privileged to participate in several undergraduate student trainings on AMR. However, in majority of the trainings, the major emphasis when discussing AMR is Human and animal health regarding antimicrobial resistance. It is on very rare occasions that environmental AMR is discussed in detail. So, my question is why are we constantly leaving the Environment out of the AMR equation and yet it’s a very important component? The One Health concept highlights the inter relatedness among human health, animal health, food and the environment and fosters collaborative efforts on the part of authorities dealing with these spheres for the effective control of AMR. It is therefore imperative that due consideration is given to each of these contributors. Unfortunately, while the improper use of antimicrobial agents for human and animal health has been the focus of most research and articles published, AMR induced by the environment has largely remained neglected so far.
AMR, the Environment and Climate Change
AMR is placed among the WHOs greatest threats to public health. However, most scientist will agree that the impact of AMR could be worsened by another factor, ranked first place in WHOs 10 biggest global health threats of the decade; climate change. In the past few years, we have experienced very extreme changes in our climate. Everyone with little or no knowledge on climate would agree that the earth’s climate is gradually changing and its effects being felt in real time. Scientists anticipate that even more devastating impacts of climate change will be felt if no action is taken to protect the environment. However, in as much as majority of the community is aware of the drastically changing climate and its effects to human wellbeing, only a handful are aware of the effects of a changing climate on AMR. According to an article published in Microorganisms in 2020, climate change should be seen as a ‘threat multiplier’ of AMR. Increased resistance occurs because changes in temperature, caused by climate change, lead to thermal adaptation in microbes, leading to higher levels of AMR.
Prioritizing our Environment in the AMR fight.
Almost every human activity from agriculture to industrialization not only harms the environment but also contributes to increased resistance of microorganism in the environment and emergence of new infectious diseases. These infectious diseases rapidly spread to different parts of the earth causing catastrophic consequences to human and animal health. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us this the hard way.
AMR is a multifaceted problem and to make progress, steps need to be taken on several fronts. One key area is clearly communicating the link between the environment and AMR. Capitalizing on the increased changes in climate to educate the local community about AMR and the importance of protecting the environment could greatly help increase awareness about AMR. As One Health students and professionals in different capacities, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are championing environmental AMR in all our discussions.
In light with the 2021 theme for One Health Day ‘When we protect one, we help protect all’, I call upon everyone to jealously protect their environment for a healthier planet.