Can COVID-19 have a silver lining?
At Jungle Straws we like to find a silver lining in any situation. Whilst there certainly isn’t a whole lot of goodness to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve still found a few positives! First up, as a sustainable products business whose culture is founded on protecting the natural world, there is one thing that we are following closely. That’s the impact of the Coronavirus on the environment.
Is the coronavirus really helping the Earth?
Essentially, yes! We’re already seeing a drastic decrease in air pollution, as the clouds of toxic gases that usually hover over cities start to shift.
The Guardian released satellite images this week showing how levels of nitrogen dioxide have dropped noticeably lower over the past 12 weeks, compared to this time last year. Particularly in China, but other cities and regions around the world are showing cleaner air, as industries press pause and vehicular traffic grinds to a halt.
Although nitrogen dioxide isn’t a greenhouse gas, it harms vegetation, crop yields and water sources which does impact on the environment. It also causes damage to our own respiratory system, as well as the Earth’s.
Experts believe it’s the effect of having less planes in the sky and less motor traffic on the roads that is making the most impact on air quality. With less people commuting to their offices, flying for business and taking holidays, our environment stands a chance of healing itself.
On your daily, government-approved walk, take a look around you and see how your local environment looks. Maybe the water in your local river or canal looks a little clearer thanks to reduced boat traffic, like in Venice. If you live in a city, maybe the air feels purer and the sky looks bluer?
Can the coronavirus help us tackle the climate crisis?
Many environmentalists and reporters speculate that COVID-19 could derail efforts to combat climate change. Increased use of detergents, environmental campaigns being overshadowed by avoiding a recession and efforts to ‘catch up’ on the gaps left in manufacturing industries. But, others have commented that authorities can learn from the coronavirus. Both the pandemic and the unfolding of climate crises are affecting the entire world, neither cares for borders.
Really, the most obvious lesson we can learn from the coronavirus is that prevention is better than cure. If we speed up our response to climate change in the way that some countries have acted in the face of the pandemic, like Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam, the planet might stand a better chance.
Other ways to find a silver lining in COVID-19
Championing of small businesses
We’ve noticed that the threat the virus poses to independent businesses around the world has united local communities. Whilst, sadly, many cafes, restaurants, shops, are being crushed by the pandemic, we have been touched by the efforts some people are going to to support their local independents during the coronavirus outbreak.
There are plenty of ways you can support independent businesses during a pandemic. If you can afford to, you can purchase a voucher for when your favourite family-run restaurant or pub swings its doors back open. Or, if you would usually buy a daily coffee from your local cafe, keep contributing a fraction of what you would usually pay.
Time to get productive
Nobody wants to be stuck indoors (least of all us here at Jungle Straws) but with governments around the globe firmly advocating that we stay home, we all have to do our best to curtail the spread. That means it’s time to be savvy and use the time wisely. Rather than worrying about the pandemic, channel your energy into getting creative or productive!
Use the time to do something you’ve always dreamed about. Pen that novel, get juicy in the kitchen, learn to play an instrument or study. We’re feeling inspired by the services who are currently offering free and discounted online courses. Even if you are working from home, looking after kids and supporting any other family members you have, carve out a small piece of time for yourself. You’ll be running marathons, travelling the world and be back on the football pitch before you know it.
Credit for health workers
We’ve been moved by the support shown to workers out on the ‘frontline’ during these times. We all know that healthcare workers such as nurses and paramedics are overworked and underpaid. Retail assistants, cleaners and rubbish collectors have been undervalued (and again, underpaid) as far back as we know.
But, now more than ever, these workers are the pillars of our communities and are getting us through. We only hope that once the pandemic is that society can reassess the value of so-called ‘unskilled’ workers and keep on giving them the credit they deserve!
We hope to see the back of this pesky virus as soon as possible so we can get back to creating even more eco friendly products. Until then, stay safe, and let’s all keep trying to do our bit for local communities and the Earth.