The COVID-19 Pandemic's Environmental Benefits

Posted on 17th June, 2020

When the forest gets too dense, there will be a fire to thin it out. Nature does this. We have overpopulation on our Planet which is causing many problems from pollution to deforestation and those each cause a resulting problem. Has nature begun to thin us out?

The physical effects of the climate crisis are impossible to ignore by now. However, experts are becoming concerned about another consequence of the dramatic climate changes - the impact on people's emotional and mental wellbeing. There is an increasing number of young adults and teenagers feeling overwhelmed by the reality of the climate crisis. Psychologists warn that the worrying levels of environment-related stress and anxiety can be devastating for those children and teenagers who have experienced climate-related disasters.

The increasing number of natural disasters - intense storms, wildfires, floods, and droughts have a powerful impact not just physically but also on the mental wellbeing of people. Extreme climate changes often lead to poverty, which leads to anxiety, fear, and depression.

What Can We Learn From the COVID-19 Crisis?

The COVID-19 pandemic has unexpected environmental benefits - lower CO2 emissions, cleaner air, and a respite for wildlife. The lockdown is affecting not only the lives of millions of people but also, the environment. The question is, how sustainable are the positive effects long-term? We can only hope that the COVID-19 pandemic will offer lessons and bring opportunities leading to effective environmental actions.

The global health crisis can lead to the introduction of long-lasting new habits in even more households, including:

  • reduction of personal consumption
  • saving water and energy
  • sustainable mobility
  • avoiding food waste

The COVID-19 pandemic can serve as a turning point for the climate crisis. The threat of intense storms, floods, wildfires, droughts linked to climate change has a dramatic impact on our lives and requires sustained action. However, no one wanted CO2 emissions to be reduced with such a dramatic cost. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that communities can make a difference when they act wisely and people take care of each other. What we experienced during the lockdown can be an important lesson when we face more dramatic environmental changes. The change you want in the world it has to begin with you. Nobody is too insignificant - adopt sustainable habits in your household, learn how to maximize your spiritual growth, and celebrate the changes you've made.