The COVID-19 pandemic hit the world like a curse in November 2019. Everyone faced the potential health and economic implications. But few anticipated the drastic impact on the environment. Restricted mobility and reduced production levels proved to be blessings for the climate and environmental sustainability. Does this mean that we are saved from long-term effects of sustained high levels of CO2 emission? And that the planet will now live another few millennia; Greta Thunberg can finally return to school and live a normal teenage life?
Unfortunately, no.
We still have a long way to go. The possible solution to global warming still lies in the hands of government bodies, corporate organisations, and a concerned, involved populace.
The ball is in the court of the over 7.8 billion humans on earth, strategic government policies, and dedicated corporate bodies intent on doing good. Will we celebrate our victory over COVID-19 by switching over to clean, bicycle travel to greet our not-too-distant neighbours? Or will we be booking a flight first thing in the morning, riding jet fumes cross-country to a vacation spot where we order a fat steak and tell the chef to keep ‘em coming? And, will ‘environmentally-friendly’ be the anthem we all sing, or would we all forget and head back into the slump?