The Environmental Impact of the Pandemic - and what we can do
Berkeley, CA
If there’s one thing most people can agree on, it’s that the Coronavirus and resulting global shutdown have given earth a chance to take a deep breath; as emissions from travel, shipments and manufacturing have decreased, skies and waterways have cleared and we’re seeing activity from animals and plants we never imagined.
The Shalon community gathered to discuss the impact, both short and long term, of the pandemic to share ideas, questions and actionable ways to support the environment now and as the world continues to change before our eyes.
Expert Insight
We were fortunate to welcome who brought passion and experience to our virtual table:
Darcie Goodman Collins, CEO of Keep Tahoe Blue (The League to Save Lake Tahoe)
Jessica Morse, Deputy Secretary for Forest Resource Management for the California Natural Resources Agency
Damon Nagami, Senior Attorney, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)
We are grateful for their participation and the work that they and their colleagues do and encourage everyone in our community to follow them to receive updates and to support their work as they fight climate change, devastating natural disasters and lobby for the well-being of our planet.
WHAT’S HAPPENING BEFORE OUR EYES
Our conversation kicked off with an exploration of nature's extreme and rapid response to the shutdown. People shared stories of clean air in their cities making it easier to breathe, birds chirping outside their windows, and wild animal sightings (which may or may not be positive depending on who you’re asking!) Reduced traffic makes getting around a breeze if we do leave our houses and gives people hope that responders are able to get to and manage emergencies more quickly. As Jessica from CNRA pointed out, it allows humanity to see that the harm we’ve done to the environment can be combated if we’re willing to put extreme measures in place. (Check out this New York Times article: “Now We Know How Quickly Our Trashed Planet Can Heal”) As we anticipate a new normal where we’re working in offices, traveling, shopping and more, how can we motivate ourselves and our neighbors to do better now that we know what is possible?
Are There Negative Impacts of a Shutdown?
The outcomes of Coronavirus on our environment aren’t all rosy. As Darcie from Keep Tahoe Blue shared, while tourism in national parks and areas like Lake Tahoe (which sees more visitors in a year than the 3 top national parks combined) is currently down, making way for nature and animals to thrive, the uncontrollable rush back to these areas that will follow the end of the shutdown could be more harmful to the ecosystem than the steady traffic they receive year round. Similarly, resources that would typically be used prophylactically to cope with disasters like flooding, wildfires, hurricanes and so many more, are being utilized to support victims of the virus and do not have the bandwidth to prepare for what may happen in coming months.
What’s more, government watchdogs and everyday citizens are being distracted by the craziness of this experience, opening the door for lawmakers, corporations and individuals to act in ways that would not have been tolerated leading up to the pandemic. Not only are speeding tickets and reckless driving up around the country, but legislation protecting water, land, animals and vulnerable people is quietly being adjusted or removed. All three organizations represented at our table have always worked proactively to fight for environmental justice and will continue to do so. You can find information about their priorities and efforts on their websites Keep Tahoe Blue, California Natural Resources Agency and Natural Resources Defense Council
Even deep roots need protection
BEING PROACTIVE
As always, the most uplifting part of our conversation came towards the end of the night as we turned to the proactive measures that each and every one of us can take to fight for the earth and the wellbeing of our communities, families and selves. It’s essential that we notice the changes happening around us - businesses that are trying to be intentional about the way their employees commute and connect, commitments to reduced waste and that we show them that we notice and encourage them with our voices and our dollars to continue moving in a positive direction.
The suggestions started with actions as simple as filling out your census, registering to vote and encouraging everyone you talk to to do the same - these are the only ways that we can ensure that communities receive the services that they need, especially as low-income, immigrant and minority filled communities continue to be hit harder from a virus, economic downturn and environmental standpoint than others. All of our speakers encouraged us to communicate with our representatives - using our voices through phone calls to ask them to support stimulus package criteria that address critical near term needs and strong climate change action.
Other ideas included:
Join a local produce/dairy/bread/etc. delivery service to support local farmers and reduce the distance your food travels to you
Fundraise or volunteer for small organizations that are focused on changing our country’s food supply chain to benefit those growing the food and the people who need it most to survive. One example is Farm to Families in California
Purchase carbon offsets - even as we travel less - to support ongoing efforts for reforestation, waste management and transitioning to energy efficient or renewable resources.
Commit to real change in your activities even when things return to “normal” - drive less, fly less, avoid plastic and other single use containers
Support resources for protected land and visit parks and recreational areas responsibly
Most importantly, continue talking to each other about what’s going on. As we learn from our friends, neighbors and public officials, we are empowered to act and to make a difference - and the changes we make now will last throughout our lives.