Opportunity in the crisis
Our response to the Coronavirus pandemic shows us that the seemingly impossible sometimes is possible. The human race are an incredible bunch when faced with a crisis. Can we learn from this experience in the fight against Climate Change?
It's hard for us to even think about the ongoing global heating crisis whilst in the midst of the Covoid-19 global pandemic. Our focus and that of the media, rightly so, has been focussed on the immediate threat to life from this virus which has seen people making unprecedented changes in their lives to slow the spread of the virus and save lives. What can we take from this experience to help us in the fight against climate change?
Six months ago the world was a different place. The Covoid-19 pandemic has forced schools and businesses to close across the globe and people have retreated indoors. People have worked together by staying apart. With the aviation industry at a standstill and many factories out of operation, the demand for crude oil is so low that the price of US crude oil has gone negative for the first time in history. Governments have financially supported those unable to work (which I never would have expected from a conservative government). New hospitals have been built; a million people have volunteered to support the NHS; retired doctors have returned to work; dozens of manufacturing companies have pooled resources to start manufacturing much needed ventilators. Scientists have focussed efforts on developing a vaccine. Every corner of society seems to be doing their bit to avert the crisis in their own way.
The ability and will of people to act as they have during this pandemic just shows that the fight against climate change is possible.
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day which is all about raising awareness of our need to drastically reduce carbon emissions not only for the beautiful planet and it’s wildlife but for our future survival as a species.
When a pandemic sweeps across the globe killing over 175,000 in it’s wake - the need for action is clear - the impact is there right in front of us, often through personal experience of losing loved ones. Sadly, the effects of climate change are (currently) more hidden from us in the more heavily polluting countries and despite the science shouting at us to take drastic action, governments are not taking climate change seriously and there is a very real risk now that action isn’t going to happen until it is too late.
When the factories spring back to life and aeroplanes once again take to the sky, emissions will inevitably (and regrettably) rise once again. This pandemic has shown us that we are capable of making incredible changes when faced with a societal crisis. We now have the choice to use this experience to work towards averting the biggest crisis the human race are likely to ever face. Let’s take this opportunity to remember that we are part of Earth’s natural system and we need to live within its limits… Otherwise it breaks - it’s that simple.
Make every day Earth Day.