SWM News March 2020 - Can we learn from coronavirus to benefit sustainability?
SWM, like many of you, is trying to manage the crisis associated with the coronavirus whilst maintaining our focus on sustainability. This has got us pondering whether there are any lessons we can take going forwards to help drive sustainable behaviour in the long term.
There is no doubt that the negative implications of the crisis are colossal. The loss of lives and social disruption and the impact on the economy and peoples livelihoods is almost overwhelming. Fighting the pandemic may take focus and resources away from the climate emergency and could move it down the governments agenda. Whilst our wildlife might benefit from a respite from human activity, if we’re unable to maintain our nature reserves and undertake essential auditing, their quality and biodiversity might decline. Birmingham was due to implement its Clean Air Zone in July but the council has asked the government permission for to postpone it until “at least” the end of the year.
However, with the enforced slow down of industrial activity, travel and transportation and one-quarter of the world’s population now in some sort of isolation, air pollution levels around the world have decreased massively. As many of us work from home, online conferencing has increased and many people have taken to two wheels to minimise the use of public transport, and for their daily exercise. Communities are coming together to provide support for the vulnerable in their neighbourhoods.
Once the crisis is over, we must build on the values that have helped us through this period and celebrate the positives. We mustn’t go back to business as usual but must question how we can use the experience for the better by using the tools and resilience we have developed for the good of our environment, our economy and ourselves.
For a more detailed review, please read 'Our Comment'.
Anna Bright, Chief Executive, on behalf of the Sustainability West Midlands Team
