An Open Letter About Environmentalism in the End Times (Dramatic I Know)
How COVID-19 has affected the fight against climate change and what that means for the future of our planet
By Anqi Xu
June 20, 2020
June 20, 2020
The coronavirus that swept the world earlier this year has resulted in a complete upheaval of our everyday lives. Truly, at the beginning of this year, when I was waiting in anticipation for prom and senior events and grad trips, I could never have imagined such a thing happening. A worldwide lockdown was incomprehensible to me, the logistics of it incredible.
The timing of the coronavirus lockdown, though, at least in BC, conceded with the beginning of Earth Week planning. Here at Dover, we hold an Earth Week every year, in an attempt to celebrate our world and embrace environmentalism. As the current Eco Club president, I was determined this year to make our event the best it had ever been.
Above: Last years Dover Earth Week
The point is, amidst the confusion and instability of that first month of self-isolation, Earth Week completely slipped my mind. And that’s understandable. After all, when one is amid a worldwide pandemic, what is the environment?
Except, no. While the world focused on the pressing issue of COVID-19, the climate change crisis was forgotten. With governments such as Ontario’s provincial government suspending their environmental bill of rights requirements, it is evident that an issue as integral to our future survival as a species has just been pushed to the backburner, regulated to a solitary Instagram nature post on April 22.
These two issues, one immediate and deadly, the other slowly ongoing but no less lethal, are intertwined. Indeed, it would be a lie to say that these past few months have done nothing in support of environmentalism. As COVID-19 precautions have shut down many industrial activities and cancelled flights, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have fallen around the world. Statistics showed that New York has had an almost 50% reduction in pollution compared to last year, a decrease in nitrogen dioxide emissions over Italy, the UK, and Spain, and a steep fall in both emissions and coal use in China.
The point is, amidst the confusion and instability of that first month of self-isolation, Earth Week completely slipped my mind. And that’s understandable. After all, when one is amid a worldwide pandemic, what is the environment?
Except, no. While the world focused on the pressing issue of COVID-19, the climate change crisis was forgotten. With governments such as Ontario’s provincial government suspending their environmental bill of rights requirements, it is evident that an issue as integral to our future survival as a species has just been pushed to the backburner, regulated to a solitary Instagram nature post on April 22.
These two issues, one immediate and deadly, the other slowly ongoing but no less lethal, are intertwined. Indeed, it would be a lie to say that these past few months have done nothing in support of environmentalism. As COVID-19 precautions have shut down many industrial activities and cancelled flights, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have fallen around the world. Statistics showed that New York has had an almost 50% reduction in pollution compared to last year, a decrease in nitrogen dioxide emissions over Italy, the UK, and Spain, and a steep fall in both emissions and coal use in China.
However, although our natural environment is slowly recovering in some places with the complete closure of many factories and businesses and fewer vehicles on the road, even this drastic change in habits has not made quite as much of a dent against climate change. As a whole, Europe in March had a 2-degree increase in temperature, some Ukrainian regions experienced temperatures up to 6 degrees higher than average, and some Russian temperatures were also up 8 percent. Areas have also been drier than predicted, with a decrease in soil moisture. All in all, 2020 is on track to be the hottest year ever recorded.
However, although our natural environment is slowly recovering in some places with the complete closure of many factories and businesses and fewer vehicles on the road, even this drastic change in habits has not made quite as much of a dent against climate change. As a whole, Europe in March had a 2-degree increase in temperature, some Ukrainian regions experienced temperatures up to 6 degrees higher than average, and some Russian temperatures were also up 8 percent. Areas have also been drier than predicted, with a decrease in soil moisture. All in all, 2020 is on track to be the hottest year ever recorded.
Above: An aerial view of the rapidly warming Russian city of Norilsk in it's arctic region on June 6, 2020. Photo Copyright Kirill Kukhmar/TASS—Getty Images
The latest analysis by the International Renewable Energy Agency predicts that this year’s annual emission reduction will only be 6-8%. However, a 10% drop is needed to have a noticeable effect on carbon dioxide emissions. It is also worth noting that, to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, emissions must fall at least 7.6% annually.
The reason that the greenhouse gas emissions are so hard to reduce is due to the very nature of these emissions. Levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are primarily due to the persistent accumulation of carbon dioxide since pre-industrial times. Therefore, reduced emissions within one singular year are unlikely to have a significant impact, even though short-term pollution due to transport has dramatically decreased. We, as a society, need to understand that reduced emissions does not equal a similar decrease in atmospheric greenhouse gasses.
Many experts have also noted the dangers after restrictions are lifted. History shows us how, when annual emissions rapidly decrease, there is often a considerable rebound that leaves us much worse than before. You need only to recall the financial crash of 2008 and the impact that it had on emissions. As a result of the recession, industrial activity stalled, resulting in reduced carbon emissions. However, as soon as the economy recovered, emissions increased, leading to an all-time high.
Above: A New York worker suffers through the 2008 financial crisis. Photo Copyright the Globe and Mail
It’s also important to understand that a large reason behind the decrease in emissions is the rapid decrease in transportation. As transportation normally makes up 23% of global emissions, having that so drastically reduced has undoubtedly contributed to our current emissions rate. This reduction may not be so sustainable, as many flights and road trips scheduled during the coronavirus outbreak have been rescheduled, resulting in a later boom. In addition, COVID-19 has detrimentally impacted economies and stock markets, the opposite of what we need for a decarbonized stable economy.
Psychologically, this pandemic has also shown how unprepared we are for climate change. Although these past few years, especially, we have held protests and led social media campaigns, it is sometimes hard to create actionable change. How fast coronavirus shows how unprepared some governments are in the face of a disaster. Even with advanced warning, it wasn’t until coronavirus was knocking on their doorstep did some countries implement migration measures. Indeed, some countries are still not adequately prepared and do not realize the true danger of this virus, much like they do not understand the severity of climate change. The hard truth of this is that, even with whistleblowers, humans appear to be unable to respond to a threat until they are attacked.
Where does this leave us then? In a world where some still denounce climate change as ‘fake science’, and where the UN has only left us 11 more years before we are effectively doomed? There is a sense of hopelessness, as even a global pandemic could not effectively reduce our emissions to a high enough level. Even if this pandemic results in behavioural changes from being accustomed to not driving, that is still not enough. Even if we all continue living this way of life, that is barely enough. We, as a society, need to recognize that individual action is not enough.
To advance as a society, we need to learn from our mistakes. Although environmentalism and COVID-19 seem to be of two different worlds, the places where they intersect teach us about what we must do to change our world for the better. We need to prepare and advocate for actionable change by those who hold power. The onus is not on the individual, but society, to change sustainably.
Psychologically, this pandemic has also shown how unprepared we are for climate change. Although these past few years, especially, we have held protests and led social media campaigns, it is sometimes hard to create actionable change. How fast coronavirus shows how unprepared some governments are in the face of a disaster. Even with advanced warning, it wasn’t until coronavirus was knocking on their doorstep did some countries implement migration measures. Indeed, some countries are still not adequately prepared and do not realize the true danger of this virus, much like they do not understand the severity of climate change. The hard truth of this is that, even with whistleblowers, humans appear to be unable to respond to a threat until they are attacked.
Where does this leave us then? In a world where some still denounce climate change as ‘fake science’, and where the UN has only left us 11 more years before we are effectively doomed? There is a sense of hopelessness, as even a global pandemic could not effectively reduce our emissions to a high enough level. Even if this pandemic results in behavioural changes from being accustomed to not driving, that is still not enough. Even if we all continue living this way of life, that is barely enough. We, as a society, need to recognize that individual action is not enough.
To advance as a society, we need to learn from our mistakes. Although environmentalism and COVID-19 seem to be of two different worlds, the places where they intersect teach us about what we must do to change our world for the better. We need to prepare and advocate for actionable change by those who hold power. The onus is not on the individual, but society, to change sustainably.
Above: Climate Change Protesters. Photo Copyright Scott Olson/Getty Images
If coronavirus has taught us anything, it is that the large scale restructuring of society is possible. We are all living such different lives these days, shown by in a few short months the idea of meeting another human is awkward to us. If we can change for COVID-19, you bet we can change for our world.
Our businesses, our corporations, and our governments all need to be held accountable. Structural change is needed, a redesigning of cities and lifestyles. If governments can give out oil grants and business rate reductions during coronavirus, why not more environmental subsidies? Choice is bound by society, and the sustainable society we need cannot happen without support. Already, some European countries are starting to adapt. Milan is giving 35 km of street space to walkers and cyclers. Brussels 40km of new bike paths. The UK, 2 billion pounds towards clean transportation initiatives.
So, what I’m trying to say here is that it is not the end times, not yet, and not really. Coronavirus has shown us that society can change, and it must if we are to be prepared for climate change. As inhabitants of the world, we must do our part to keep those in positions of power accountable, from petitions to campaigns, and outcries. Our voices need to be heard, and we must make a stand. The burden is on our governments to produce a sustainable economy, and on us to hold them to it.
Our businesses, our corporations, and our governments all need to be held accountable. Structural change is needed, a redesigning of cities and lifestyles. If governments can give out oil grants and business rate reductions during coronavirus, why not more environmental subsidies? Choice is bound by society, and the sustainable society we need cannot happen without support. Already, some European countries are starting to adapt. Milan is giving 35 km of street space to walkers and cyclers. Brussels 40km of new bike paths. The UK, 2 billion pounds towards clean transportation initiatives.
So, what I’m trying to say here is that it is not the end times, not yet, and not really. Coronavirus has shown us that society can change, and it must if we are to be prepared for climate change. As inhabitants of the world, we must do our part to keep those in positions of power accountable, from petitions to campaigns, and outcries. Our voices need to be heard, and we must make a stand. The burden is on our governments to produce a sustainable economy, and on us to hold them to it.
SOURCES USED
Answers to 5 more questions about COVID-19 and the environment. (2020, May 06). Retrieved from https://environmentaldefence.ca/2020/05/01/answers-5-more-questions-covid-19-environment/
Goldbaum, E. (2020, April 29). NASA Probes Environment, COVID-19 Impacts, Possible Links. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-probes-environment-covid-19-impacts-possible-links
Has coronavirus helped the environment? (2020, April 23). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200422-how-has-coronavirus-helped-the-environment
Monks, P. (2020, April 20). Here's how lockdowns have improved air quality around the world. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/coronavirus-lockdowns-air-pollution
OPINION | COVID-19 has laid bare how unprepared we are for crises - and climate change will test us even more | CBC News. (2020, May 05). Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/covid-19-climate-change-crisis-opinion-1.5554971
Vince, G. (2020, May 17). After the Covid-19 crisis, will we get a greener world? Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/17/after-the-covid-19-crisis-will-we-get-a-greener-world
Wilks, J. (2020, April 28). What influence on climate is the coronavirus lockdown really having? Retrieved from https://www.euronews.com/2020/04/13/covid-19-and-climate-how-much-impact-is-the-current-lockdown-really-having-on-our-environm
Will Covid-19 have a lasting impact on the environment? (2020, March 27). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200326-covid-19-the-impact-of-coronavirus-on-the-environment
Answers to 5 more questions about COVID-19 and the environment. (2020, May 06). Retrieved from https://environmentaldefence.ca/2020/05/01/answers-5-more-questions-covid-19-environment/
Goldbaum, E. (2020, April 29). NASA Probes Environment, COVID-19 Impacts, Possible Links. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-probes-environment-covid-19-impacts-possible-links
Has coronavirus helped the environment? (2020, April 23). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200422-how-has-coronavirus-helped-the-environment
Monks, P. (2020, April 20). Here's how lockdowns have improved air quality around the world. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/coronavirus-lockdowns-air-pollution
OPINION | COVID-19 has laid bare how unprepared we are for crises - and climate change will test us even more | CBC News. (2020, May 05). Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/covid-19-climate-change-crisis-opinion-1.5554971
Vince, G. (2020, May 17). After the Covid-19 crisis, will we get a greener world? Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/17/after-the-covid-19-crisis-will-we-get-a-greener-world
Wilks, J. (2020, April 28). What influence on climate is the coronavirus lockdown really having? Retrieved from https://www.euronews.com/2020/04/13/covid-19-and-climate-how-much-impact-is-the-current-lockdown-really-having-on-our-environm
Will Covid-19 have a lasting impact on the environment? (2020, March 27). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200326-covid-19-the-impact-of-coronavirus-on-the-environment