how to bring greener changes in our life as the lesson learnt from covid-19
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Quiet Manhattan streets, visible Himalayan skies, clear Venetian canals, and dolphins in Italian ports. Just a few months of humanity at a standstill have impacted our environment in shocking ways. The global shutdown of cities and economies has fast-forwarded us into a future where we view bold actions in response to unprecedented events as increasingly possible. However, we can no longer rely on bold and disruptive actions in lieu of integrated and adaptive change.
With the largest drop in greenhouse gas emissions since World War II, cities must now take the opportunity presented by the pandemic to reshape our thinking on disaster preparedness. The COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis are both recognizable “gray rhino” events: highly probable, high impact yet neglected threats. In contrast to unforeseeable and improbable “black swan” events, gray rhinos are obvious dangers that leaders choose to ignore, often because they are more afraid of doing the wrong thing than of doing nothing. But confronted with a global pandemic, we must now institute a paradigm shift in the way we view intergenerational emergencies. Out of sight can no longer mean out of mind.
In cities around the world, leaders have begun to apply lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to their climate crisis response, recognizing that in order to create a resilient society that can withstand shocks, we must prioritize a recovery plan with green strings attached. In particular, three strategies can help lead the way:
1. Redefine safe travel
By restricting access to vehicles and opening up space for safe travel by foot or bike, cities can reduce vehicle congestion, traffic fatalities, and carbon emissions. At the same time, cities can enable social distancing in such open spaces, thereby reducing coronavirus claustrophobia and overcrowding in parks and on sidewalks. By reclaiming streets for pedestrians and redefining which travel is essential, cities can align actions that are beneficial for both public health and the environment.
For example, the Seattle Department of Transportation has closed nearly 20 miles of residential Seattle streets to most vehicle traffic, creating pedestrian-centric “safe, healthy streets.” According to SDOT Director Sam Zimbabwe:
Some of the responses [to COVID-19] are going to be long-lasting, and we need to continue to build out a transportation system that enables people of all ages and abilities to bike and walk across the city.
Though SDOT estimates spending between $100,000 and $200,000 on making the street closures permanent, Seattle may close even more streets depending on community demand. The city has also announced that it will accelerate the development of bike infrastructure and adjust the timing of traffic signals and pedestrian walk signals to create more space for bicyclists and pedestrians. Residents also have the option to provide feedback on Stay Healthy Streets through an online survey. Though many residents have praised the model, some community leaders have expressed concerns with the lack of biking and walking infrastructure in predominantly non-white neighborhoods. As many street closures become permanent, Seattle must continue to involve the community in key decision making.