International Earth Day in the Time of COVID-19
It’s International Earth Day!
This is a unique year for Earth Day, as we are in the midst of a global pandemic.
As it turns out, the widespread governmental #stayhome orders are not only good for reducing the spread of deadly COVID-19; they’re also — coincidentally — good for the planet. I do not intend to make light of the horrific 178,000+ deaths and global economic disaster that COVID-19 has caused. I do intend to highlight the de facto impact that #stayhome orders have had on the environment.
It’s been a while since we pesky humans have literally cooled our jets and (kind of) left Earth alone to do her thing. An unintended outcome of the pandemic is that Earth is experiencing a brief reprieve from our normal routines.
Articles like this have been circulating about how air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have sharply reduced as citizens all over the world #stayhome. NYC has experienced a 25% decrease in air pollution. A sigh of relief for Mother Earth — can you hear the avalanches? — but of course, there are still proverbial mountains to move for our other global crisis — Climate Change.
While continuing to #stayhome just so happens to be helping the environment, if you’re interested in making a more intentional impact on the climate, try building these actions into your life. Everything helps!
- Skip dryer sheets
- Better yet, hang dry clothes/towels instead of using an electric dryer
- Eat less meat; cook a vegetarian meal instead
- Watch a Netflix documentary (or binge a few!)
- Read a book (the Tapad Bookclub recently read this one)
- Repair or repurpose something — an appliance, clothes (masks anyone?)
- Continue composting at home — store in the freezer if you can’t get to a drop-off site anytime soon
- Maybe a pandemic isn’t the best time to needle anyone about their smoking habit, but just in case…seriously, stop already! Your 18 billion butts a day are bad for everything!
- Opt for compostable packaging, “naked” fruits and veggies, recycled and non-toxic products
- Recycle plastic, metal, glass, paper, etc according to your municipality’s guidelines
- Save all soft/flexible plastic & corks for drop off at your local Whole Foods when #stayhome is lifted
- Join a CSA — around NYC, they usually start in June, so enrollment is likely open! Eat local + support sustainable agriculture (or Misfits Market)
- Won’t eat all those bananas/open tomato sauce/bread/etc. in time? Freeze it.
- Switch ConEd from fossil fuels to renewables via Green Mountain Energy, Clean Choice Energy, etc.
- Feeling crafty? Buy discount designer fabrics online from fabscrap (online store open during COVID-19) and keep high-quality fashion fabrics out of landfills
- Cleaning out your garage/closets? Collect electronics and hazardous waste for future drop-off at an e-Waste/SAFE Disposal Event
- Adjust thermostats to reduce power use
- Grow leafy plants indoors and trees outdoors
- Plant a garden on your windowsill, balcony, or backyard
- Join an online climate strike
Looking forward to resuming our green routine and “15 Ways We Made Our Office Greener” when we’re back! Keep your eyes peeled for new ways that Tapad-ers can grow greener, and congrats again to all for the recent Bring Your Lunch to Work Competition!
It took a shakeup like a deadly, global health pandemic to make a small dent in the fight against climate change.
But we made a dent. In a matter of months.
Government orders across the world to #stayhome have accidentally helped the environment. Imagine the impact we can make if governments act intentionally to help the environment.
As the world rethinks the new normal for after COVID-19, I hope we can learn from this moment and rethink how we engage as individuals, as citizens, and as countries with Climate Change.
Agreement and organization at the governmental scale take time. In the meantime, and as we continue to brace for COVID-19 recovery on the health and economic fronts, let’s each take micro-actions like those on this list and strive to make our own, intentional impact in the fight against Climate Change.
#TapadLife #TapadCares
