Has the pandemic forced us to go green and live sustainable lives?
The new decade has thrust all of our lives into chaos but COVID-19 has taught us a lot when it comes to taking care of ourselves and our communities. This pandemic has taken its toll on everything from global economies to our collective mental health.
The continued fallout should encourage governments, companies and individuals to course correct the ongoing climate change before it’s too late. Confronting climate change was critical even before COVID-19 and the effects of ignoring long-term risks are clear. There is no vaccine against climate change, so post-pandemic recovery plans must focus on growth aligning with sustainability agendas to build back better.
The unprecedented rise in remote working has cut down on commuting to and from work, leading to less traffic congestion and a sizable drop in greenhouse gas emissions. Just imagine how much gasoline one person consumes on a typical drive to work. Twice a day. Multiple times a week. Offices are consuming less energy due to the reduced personnel contributing to paper and plastic waste. The average individual is more empowered when it comes to reducing his/her carbon footprint. Businesses are under pressure to step up as consumers vote with their wallet and prefer to support socially conscious organizations. Sustainability has become a necessity as it is now intrinsically linked to a company’s core values.
In short, the pandemic has given us an opportunity. We can either bury our heads in the sand and continue to exploit our planet. Or we can step back, evaluate the possibilities of this new landscape and implement meaningful change.
