Clear parallels have been drawn between coronavirus and climate change, including society’s consequent responses to each crisis, but will the pandemic aid climate mitigation and adaptation or slow its progress?
Similarities & Differences between Crises
Similarities
- Both are “unprecedented in their levels of disruption”, requiring a coordinated response from policy-makers and society
- Both require society to listen to scientists rather than cherry-pick facts that are politically beneficial to certain groups at the expense of the greater good
- Both require combined action of both governments/powerful businesses and individuals
- Both crises disproportionately negatively effect those who are most vulnerable, such as BAME (black and minority ethnic groups) and poorer communities
Differences
- Coronavirus directly threatens individuals whilst climate change has less direct consequences (instead affecting underlying systems)
- Coronavirus has relatively short-term effects compared to climate change, hence the response is also a short-term effort
- Whilst the vast, vast majority of people are actively fighting to slow the pandemic, it could be argued that significantly fewer are actively fighting climate change
Considering this fact, is it possible that a pandemic-style response such as the rapid mobilisation of governments, individuals and resources, could be applied to the urgent climate crisis?
Effects of Coronavirus on the Climate Change Response
The Bad Stuff
- International climate conferences have been delayed for example COP26 (the largest of all international climate talks) was supposed to be held in November 2020 but will now be held in 2021. There is also a fear that if meetings become virtual, the poorest countries may not be equally represented due to limitations of technology.
- The Brazilian Environment Minister was caught on video suggesting that Coronavirus could offer a suitable media and public distraction for the removal of environmental protections in the Amazon Rainforest. Other countries such as Australia and the US have acted in a similar manner and Trump has used the pandemic to “roll back” many environmental protections for example by easing fuel efficiency standards for new cars (to name just one!).
- An economic downturn could flatten public support of the climate crisis and businesses will have fewer spare fund to invest in climate-friendly practises.
The Good Stuff
- A reduction in transport and therefore greenhouse gas emissions, has led to a drastic improvement in air quality; so much so that Mount Everest could even be seen from the capital city of Nepal: Kathmandu! Similarly, energy demand is predicted to decrease by 6% this year; the largest percentage fall in 70years and seven times larger than the 2008 financial crisis (according the International Energy Agency)!
- The urgency with which society responded to coronavirus may make it easier to translate such urgency in into a climate change context. Whilst the climate emergency may feel less immediate (to some!) a growing recognition of humanity’s interdependence may strengthen compassion and empathy and the willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good.
- Similarly, the coronavirus has shown that enough political will can incite drastic change very rapidly, with hugely positive effects. We have just proven that the enormous changes required of society in order to overcome the climate crisis are very much possible.
A Green Recovery??
The Covid-19 recession will be dramatic. With vast levels of unemployment on the horizon, many large British companies alongside other actors have called for a ‘Green Recovery’, in which polluting industries would be exempt from government aid. They also suggest that renewable energy projects may be a more appropriate allocation of finances as solar panels, turbines etc. can usually be constructed quickly and scaled up as the economy rebounds. Huge changes to the structure of our society do not come along very often and campaigners would argue this the perfect opportunity to instigate real change. One worry however, is that in previous crises, there has normally been a focus on stabilising pre-existing industries and practises rather than risking drastic change. In the coming weeks and months huge pressure will be put on our government to reverse vast levels of unemployment and the temptation therefore to support economic growth and development irrespective of environmental damage will be high.
“It’d be short-sighted (irresponsible even) to set aside concerns for the climate crisis right now. We just don’t have that luxury… society can’t afford to ignore or delay action on what could well be the biggest crisis in human history. Both crises are here now. So we need to walk and chew gum at the same time. “
Ryan Hagen (2020)
For more information or to read my sources…
- Ryan Hagen on differences and similarities between the crises: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/coronavirus-climate-change-10-key-similarities-lessons-ryan-hagen/
- Rosenbloom & Markard (2020) on how Covid will affect our climate action: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6490/447.full
- IIED on how humanity can respond to both crises: https://www.iied.org/coronavirus-climate-change-are-two-crises-need-humanity-unite
- BBC article on how emissions have fallen during the pandemic: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52485712
- Emily Holden on Trump and reductions in environmental regulations: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/10/trump-environmental-blitzkrieg-coronavirus
A Climate Change GUIDE 