Indigenous worldview in environmental public policies to reduce pollution during the coronavirus pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Since 2020, due to the the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, there has been an increase in generation of waste with biological or infectious risk used in biosafety protocols by the community and human resources in health, which, in turn, generates a high rate of pollution and environmental degradation of natural resources that has so far exceeded expectations for mitigation. Development: To reduce the impact of this problematic situation, a reflection was made to strengthen the current public policies and implement environmental actions that seek to mitigate the damage, but, above all, to change the concept of the environment and increase awareness about the importance of interaction and codependency of human beings with nature. The idea of retaking conceptual elements of the knowledge of indigenous cultures regarding the holistic vision of the environment is proposed, starting from a Quechua worldview of good living, where the environment and the human being are in constant balance and harmony. Conclusions: This study is intended to determine, from the indigenous worldview, the possible conceptual approaches that mitigate the environmental impact, as well as to formulate strategic actions for the adequate management of the resultant waste. © 2024, Universidad del Rosario. All rights reserved.