Lessons From Coronavirus To Fight Climate Change
Expressing my thoughts and emotions with each of you as my audience {who graciously lend a listening ear}, has been a seamless deed for me these last few years. However, I have felt imprisoned by the deserted walls of my thoughts this past week and it was not until yesterday that the warmth of the freedom of expression came melting down those walls, letting me see clearly through my feelings. And so, I felt it was necessary to share.
Be it the defining health crisis of our time ~ COVID-19, a virus that has waged war on the whole world, or maybe it is Quarantine Day x… Whichever it is; I feel it necessary to spark the conversation on an issue that is extremely important to me for the sake of everyone’s well-being. Yours, mine, our loved ones, and, of course, Mother Earth’s.
Lessons From Coronavirus To Fight Climate Change: The spread of COVID-19 has pushed our world into a plight where only the absolute necessities matter. Heading to the gym, having a spa day, or enjoying a beach holiday have all become a luxury. That being said, this infectious disease has managed to infuse some good habits into our routine ~ as we stay indoors reading, exercising our creativity, and ensuring the safety of our family The lock-down has also helped Earth get some breathing space; but what happens once the dust settles ~ once the spread of the virus starts subsiding? What can we expect from ourselves and fellow human beings once the restrictions are eased? Will we be itching to embrace our old lifestyle? Or will we take a lesson or two from this period of crisis? And, will we be ready to extrapolate these values to our life after Coronavirus?
Lessons From Coronavirus To Fight Climate Change: In fact, the gloom that has spread into our lives feels like a snapshot of what we would encounter when the dangerous effects of climate change take over. Then, the option of seeking shelter in the comfort of our homes may not even exist. We have already seen an alarming rise in sea surface temperatures, Arctic sea ice extent is diminishing, and natural habitats like forests and coral reefs are disappearing. COVID-19 might be the talking point of the season, but Global Warming and Climate Crisis are lurking behind the curtains, slipping into only temporary oblivion, as we are overwhelmed by the effects of this pandemic.
Yes, there are lessons to be learned from Coronavirus to fight climate change. And, to ensure that we are not plunging into the midst of an apocalypse, it is imperative that we are more kind to Mother Nature. The most important lesson COVID-19 has taught me, and the one I would take into my life post-Coronavirus ~ is to be altruistic. To live my life with consideration, and the awareness that my actions have consequences falling upon the rest of the world!
Earth is all that we have. May we all lean into the good that remains and strengthen through vulnerability as one collective whole.
Now, more than ever, it is essential to acknowledge that we are all born on this earth as one race ~ human. So, the biggest question I see needing to be answered here is; how does each one of us start playing our part in reducing our carbon footprint? Well, for starters we can extend some of our pandemic contingency measures into our normal lifestyle. Let’s start with our food. It had become almost a norm for many families to order take-out a few times a week. With food availability being a concern given our current situation, we have learned to reduce the amount of food wasted, and more planning goes into how judiciously we use every last bit of our resources ~ that needs to continue.
While there is no real scientific conclusion that has been drawn regarding the correlation between air conditioning and the spread of Coronavirus, there has been speculation about the same. During desperate times like these, such speculations are enough to pull the plug on the use of air conditioning, especially since the gaseous emissions from AC units is one of the biggest contributing factors to climate change. Hence, we too can ensure that air conditioning is used, only when it is absolutely needed. Pop open those windows, now. {Vikram and I take this a step further by ensuring that there is never a light on when we’re not in that room.}
Recycling and reusing are some of the measures that many of us have already adopted. If you haven’t, it’s time to hop on to that train. I have also stopped using plastic bags and bottles entirely. I go grocery shopping or visit the local farmers’ market with recycled cloth bags of my own. In my opinion, such positive habits have to spread faster than the way Coronavirus has.
Additionally, wouldn’t it be great if we could all be part of climate action groups in our area, even if said organisation was functioning at a local level? This may help force policy changes by our government, in favour of nature.
To conclude: Global Warming may not have started having an impact on our lives to the extent that it makes us uncomfortable, but trust me, if we don’t act now, worse tragedies await us. We, as a global community, are capable of making these small changes for the better in our lives. Let’s get our act together and heal our beautiful planet.
Corona may have crippled our wings, but we will bounce back! What other ways can we enact change? Please share your thoughts with me in the comments below!
Love this, Tanya! ❤️ I hope that the shock of this pandemic will jolt people out of their desire to ignore global issues like climate change.
Thank you, Shubhangi.
In this rapidly emerging new reality, lessons are certainly being learned. COVID-19 should bring to people’s minds that maybe the risk we’ve been talking about with climate change is not so far fetched…
Thank you for sharing, Nupur.
Amazing post! Something that I’d like for all of us to try to explore a little more is how good preparedness pays off…
Thank you, Simone.
The thing I love the most about your blog is your writing. 🙂 That said, there truly is no greater priority than using this crisis to really accelerate the low-carbon transition that is already ongoing, because climate change is threatening our very civilisation!
Thank you for sharing, Purnima.
Amazing blog and I agree with you. There’s no doubt that everybody’s going to be putting safety first right now, but whether or not safety first aligns with climate first is something only time will tell…
Thank you for sharing, Mohini.
Your writing style is captivating, Tanya! Really enjoyed the read. I’d like to add that bold climate plans require spending political capital, and world leaders need to advocate “green” stimulus measures!
Thank you for sharing, Aditi.
Great write-up! The simplicity of these pictures is beautiful, not to mention the subtlety of the colours. ❤️ In any case, the global nature of Covid-19 is making us realise that we are connected to each other. I hope that this can help build momentum for strong climate action.
Thank you, Paavni.
You look beautiful and this is an amazing article, Tanya! ❤️ The global economic shutdown provides an alternative reality, or at least a “mirage” of what could be ~ if humanity managed to reduce its carbon footprint.
Thank you for sharing, Neha.
Lovely photos as per usual! I never usually read blogs – just look at the photos – but I love reading your editorials, Tanya! In my opinion, the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly elicited a global response unlike anything we’ve seen before… characterised by care, compassion and connection – and an unheard-of pace of change. I hope this continues…
Thank you for sharing, Avantika.
Amazing writing style and amazing photography as per usual! ❤️ On that note, it would indeed be sad to see people cast aside longer-term aspirations in pursuit of short-term easy fixes; many of which would have adverse environmental consequences.
Thank you for sharing, Srishti.
I love these photos, and the way you write makes me feel like I am there experiencing all of it with you… I think that the response to COVID-19 is more likely to frustrate than inspire strong global action on climate change… I would like to be proven wrong…
Thank you for sharing, Vibha.
I swear I keep saying the same thing, but I’m so incredibly jealous of your writing style! I love getting lost in your words! 🙂 Now, wouldn’t it be great to have world leaders seize this “historic opportunity” to hasten decarbonation of the world economy by investing in clean energy technologies and infrastructure?
Thank you for sharing, Anjali.
These shots are ridiculously amazing, Tanya! How do you so easily nail ‘effortlessly chic’ every single time?! ❤️ On a more sober note, If there was ever a time in which humanity should finally recognise that we belong to one connected family on Earth, this should be it.
Thank you for sharing, Parimala.
I’m loving your posts while on #selfquarantine ~ both on Instagram and on here, Tanya! 🙂 And yes, all of us can make a difference and play an important role in the solution.
Thank you, Mona.
This year is one that I will remember as a time when we all were suddenly forced to stop what we were doing, pay attention to one another and take action! Thank you for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️
My pleasure, Karishma.
You are effortlessly stylish and your blog and Instagram photos are enviable, Tanya! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
Here’s my two cents ~ We have faced grave crises before. But if we want to come out of this unscathed in the long run, we must plan for unprecedented impact and collaboration in the short run. We’ll overcome this crisis, but only if we work together and dig in!
Thank you for sharing, Surbhi.
It’s self-isolation ~ but who cares when you look so fabulous! ❤️ On another note, this blog is just so inspiring! Here’s hoping humanity takes the hard, necessary steps to protect itself.
Thank you, Prathana.
You have a cool sense of style and you take perfect pictures, Tanya! Your blog has a really beautiful and statement building atmosphere… and I’m totally obsessed over your writing skills! Tell it like it is!! ❤️
Thank you, Nazia.
You’re ever so chic! Love this maxi dress so, so much! I do like seeing you dressed in a more classic way, but resort-wear looks great on you. And you have such great bone structure! ❤️
Thank you, Samreen.
Well written, Tanya. Surely every situation leaves us with a new learning and a new way to keep up the cheer.
Absolutely Keshavan.
Most beautiful human being on earth! ❤️ When I go out to the woods and look a the trees ~ I feel all these different energies and suddenly I feel somehow balanced again.
We’ve all had such experiences in life which made us realise how we project our inner selves onto this world, isn’t it?
I, for one, can’t wait to see paradise again. To get up, walk on the balcony with a freshly brewed coffee. Lean my feet up and just see nature, and breathe in and out in Paradise. I can’t wait!
I love how perfectly you’ve illustrated the idea, Amy! This is exactly what each of one us needs to understand.