The COVID-19 pandemic is dominating the news, and rightly so. One must be hesitant to claim that ALL of society is discussing the pandemic, as in a number of less-privileged and conflict-ridden societies issues of hunger, poverty and violence are perhaps still more pertinent. However, it is the first time in modern history that so many branches of government, civil society, international organisations, businesses, and the general population of many states have collectively debated a singular issue to the extent of this health crisis. Therefore, if we can phrase this volume of discussion as "global society", a question that must be asked is: can global society learn anything from its responses to this current crisis that can be applied to another, less obvious but inevitable, crisis to come – namely, climate change? The objective of this article is not to necessarily answer this question comprehensively but rather suggest COVID-19 policy responses that may also be used in the context of climate action due to their, admittedly unintentional, environmental benefits.
CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The above question must be qualified to the extent that the climate catastrophe is not some future event but one that is currently gripping the planet alongside COVID-19. The immediate consequences of the former as they relate to human society are perhaps less obvious than the latter, and as such may be deemed as being someway down the road. The reality is that the ramifications of the climate change crisis are a lot closer than many have been led to believe.
The landmark 2018 United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report, an analysis deemed conservative by certain experts, outlined that by 2030 the average global average temperature increase must be reduced to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels to avoid a catastrophic climate breakdown. Significantly, research has illustrated that human responses to the COVID-19 pandemic such as nation-wide lockdowns, social distancing, and travel restrictions have resulted in a drastic drop in global carbon emissions, air and water pollution and, perhaps most aesthetically pleasing of all, the increased appearance of fauna in areas generally dominated by human activity.
The caveat to these positive environmental developments is that this same research indicates that pollution levels will more than likely spike to "pre-pandemic levels" as soon as the COVID-19 crisis has been adequately addressed. Therefore, it must also eventually be asked to what extent measures implemented in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic can be applied to mitigate the climate crisis?
HUMAN RESPONSES TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
"Flattening the [infection rate] curve" has required large-scale collective action, as governments and the private sector work to ensure the impact of the virus on human life is mitigated as far as possible. Responses have been varied. Some countries have been largely inactive, even disavowal in their attitudes towards the pandemic. Many though, have been proactive in their responses.
South Africa, initially content with travel restrictions and the banning of gatherings of 100 or more has as of 26 March 2020 placed the country on a full lockdown akin to limitations of movement in place in Italy. The United Kingdom followed suit with similar measures. The United States has thus far taken an ad hoc, state-by-state, approach. It useful to briefly assess these measures and why exactly they have produced such startling environmental benefits. The core tenet of all of these strategies is the limitation of human interaction. Put differently, the concentration of people per square meter has significantly decreased. Lockdowns and travel restrictions alter work habits.
Many non-essential workers now, if possible, work from home. This has decreased vehicle emissions and building energy requirements, while the closing down of non-essential industrial sites produce obvious benefits for air and water quality.
THE APPLICATION OF RESPONSES TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO CLIMATE GOVERNANCE
The most notable development of the COVID-19 crisis, as it relates to the climate crisis, is the reduction in transportation. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, with air travel being a large portion of this and, in more usual circumstances, one that is notoriously difficult to curb. While transportation emissions will inevitably rise "post-pandemic" to meet social and personal requirements, one aspect of the COVID-19 crisis that could be applied to climate action is the reduction in transportation emissions in a commercial sense.
Businesses are steadily learning to what extent face-to-face interaction is integral to commercial viability. Remote working should be encouraged to limit unnecessary transportation emissions. A knock-on effect of this would be a reduction in building energy requirements with fewer staff members required to be onsite at any given time. Another important lesson to derive from the COVID-19 pandemic that is applicable to climate change is the value of scientific observation and heeding the warning of scientists of impending disaster. Objective facts, such virus spread and global warming, are not dependent on subjective interpretation. They will exist and proceed regardless of human beliefs and should we wish to curb their impact we must equip ourselves with the required knowledge in order to take the necessary proactive steps.
Lastly, and perhaps most idealistically, society must remember this period in human history as one where it has been made clear that collective action is more important than self-interest. Relating to one another cooperatively, as opposed to competitively, will ensure this pandemic is addressed. This is a mindset that must be transferred, globally, to the climate fight if we are to ensure our mutual survival post-pandemic.
Human Rights Pulse core team member, Vaughn is passionate about sustainability and human rights, his scholarship and writing focuses on international law, climate change and transitional justice.