Recently history was made in several cities in India and China. Blue sky was seen and smog disappeared for the first time in decades because the quarantine suddenly cut the use of fossil fuels for transportation and many industries to the lowest level in decades.
Now as we celebrate the 50th Earth Day, still quarantined in our homes, we are creating significant decreases in our use of fossil fuels for travel, entertainment, delivery, and manufacturing systems. Scientists are observing reduced air pollution, improved world health, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
My hope is this: As the COVID 19 virus pandemic comes to an end, most world leaders, medical professionals, and citizens will understand how to improve our abilities to handle future epidemics and to lessen the destruction caused by global climate changes and sea level rise.
We are already seeing worldwide efforts to increase research into vaccines. Congress passed billions to help small businesses and the millions of people who have lost income. As state and local governments struggle to provide unemployment benefits, protective equipment, food, and distance learning opportunities, more leaders are recognizing huge inequities in education and healthcare. New opportunities and leaders who can solve these dilemmas are being revealed. We are all understanding that providing education, food, and health care more equitably makes everyone healthier and more productive.
I am hearing people say, “Thank you for your dedication and the service you do,” to all who serve us. We used to say this only to people in the armed services. But now we realize safety and security in today’s world has very little to do with fighting wars and spending billions on preparations for war and our system of “defense and homeland security.” Instead we are beginning to realize that our “war machine “and those billions of dollars we spend on it each year, does little to defend us against disease or death.
Our youths are not currently attending school, but most of them are learning many valuable lessons from this pandemic. They are learning the resiliency skills of cooking and healthier eating and health habits. Many are using distance learning and taking personal responsibility for their education. Some are gardening, raising chickens, and relishing any opportunity to safely ride a bike or play outdoors. Others long to get back to more outdoor and group activities.
Many students are starting careers and jobs that involve healing people and saving lives. They see the need to help people heal from the stresses and strains of modern life and pollution, to overcome addiction and loneliness, and to build and staff more health care, testing, and research facilities. Some are realizing that too much time, thought, and money goes into entertainment, professional sports, extravagant concert tours, and luxurious homes and travel. Instead this money and attention could be spent on higher education, healthcare, public transportation, recycling, and renewable energy systems that would lessen the threats of sea level rise, floods, fires, and windstorms.
I am encouraged by the numbers of youths who are forming and joining organizations demanding social justice and environmental justice, registering voters, and considering careers in public office. This pandemic has shown them that their health and the future health of our planet and all the things we rely on, needs more attention and compassion.
World health statistics show us that air and water pollution has been causing far more illness and death than this pandemic. We clearly see the need to decrease air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by building and demanding more renewable energy and transportation systems, solar and wind arrays, electric vehicles, EV charging and energy storage systems, and ways of recycling and reducing all types of waste. Decreasing our use of plastics and making alternative products out of recycled materials would also help.
When the pandemic ends we will have opportunities to create a more sustainable and healthy economy that helps people who have lost their homes, businesses, and livelihoods because of this pandemic as well as all the recent floods, fires, windstorms, and earthquakes. Will the lessons learned from our experiences help us survive the effects of global warming and sea level rise? It is my hope that as we learn to listen, cooperate, and have compassion for our neighbors both nearby and far away, we will create a healthier future for our children and the generations to come.
Emma Stamas is a resident of Colrain.