It's hard to predict how our way of life will change following this global pandemic. Coronavirus, like climate change, is exacerbated by human behaviour and to curb the negative impacts of both, we have to change our day to day functioning. But sometimes, it feels like we can't tackle both at once. Plastics is an example of an area where what we do to tackle coronavirus (use more plastics for safety reasons) isn't good for the climate. As businesses slowly open up, we are using more single use plastics such as, gloves, sanitisers, and cups to avoid spreading the virus (don't worry though, we've thought of some ways to avoid these in our individual lives here.)
And then there's industry and economies. We've seen the impact that our forced slowdown has had on C02 emissions, but as many governments prioritise the re-opening of the economy, it is feared that emissions will shoot up. What's more, while the world has been focussed on COVID-19, environmental protections in countries around the world have been stripped back.
What this means for the climate conscious is that we have to keep up the fight for climate justice and figure out new ways to reach some of our personal and big picture climate goals, such as using more public transport. Here are some planet-strong actions that we've learnt during lockdown, some that we already had planned for this year and how we can navigate both in a post-pandemic world:
Taking public transport
It's hard to predict what measures transport officials will put in place around the world to limit contact on public transport but here are some measures you can take to ensure you are safe:
- Avoid travelling at peak times. As many businesses see the benefit of working from home, it's predicted that many more will be able to continue to do so indefinitely and those companies who do require staff in the office, will stagger working hours hopefully making rush-hour commutes less packed!
- Use a bike if possible. Many cities such as Milan, Bogotá and Vancouver have expanded bike lanes following a surge in the popularity of cycling.
Screen times have probably increased for the whole family so let's find ways to cut down on electricity consumption
If you are able to work from home your electricity bill may be increasing. We've outlined some ways you can cut those costs and emissions here.
Changing our relationship with agriculture
During the pandemic, our reliance on a few staple pantry items like pasta and tinned goods shot up. Products like these were in such high demand that they became hard to find in grocery stores.The bigger corporations that produce these crops, may be able to bear these setbacks financially but the strain on those few consolidated supply chains shows that we can no longer be dependent on retail giants. Large scale consumption of these food items and growing mono-cultures at mass also runs the risk of stripping complex soils and ecosystems of a select list of key nutrients.
What you can do:
- Support local farmers and diversify your diet. By implementing these two changes you not only ensure that small farms and supply chains are producing a range of goods with diverse farming methods, but you are ensuring that soils are left with a variety of nutrients and local practices can be implemented
Shifting our relationship with food
During lockdown, more people were cooking from home and they had more time to do so too. Surveys conducted in the UK found that 9 out of 10 adults became more aware of their food waste during lockdown, and 60% of people in the study have learned new cooking skills. As food-chains open back up however, it is hard to say whether these changes will stick, but as more people have gained confidence in the kitchen and been made aware of their leftovers, we hope this change will be carried into lives after lockdown. Here's what you can do to ensure you minimise waste
- Start a food sharing scheme with your neighbours. Lockdown inspired the neighbourly spirit in many communities and although it might seem strange giving scraps and old soup through the fence, it really can help someone out when they need an extra bit of sauce for their pasta.
- Make a plan! Before going shopping, make a meal plan, write a list and stick to it. Many of us were minimising shopping trips during lockdown, so we had to plan out exactly what we needed to buy to last us throughout the week or weeks at a time.
- Don't throw away leftovers, reinvent them as a new dish the day after or set them aside to have as lunch.
Vacations will change
Many businesses in the tourism industry have put large cleaning measures in place to avoid the spread of coronavirus. These include deep cleaning, and regular linen changes , washing them high temperatures too. Other places are encouraging guests to do their own laundry.
- Read up on the COVID policies of a restaurant or hotel before arriving. Are you planning on going to a guest house or bed and breakfast soon? Call ahead and find out if you can bring your own linen and take it home to wash when you go.
- Air travel has halted in many places around the world. Embrace this change, opting to holiday in your own country and travel there by train or car (carpool with friends if you're going to the same place!).
These suggestions, hopefully ensure that we practice the slowness many of us have learnt from isolation whether this be researching purchases before buying, researching brands, calling ahead to request plastic free and online thrifting
Written by Frances Housdon
Fran is a young South African journalism graduate passionate about the outdoors, and getting other people to enjoy them with her. She loves paddling down long rivers, exploring big mountains and consuming bulk quantities of peanut butter.