Against the backdrop of the Covid-19 outbreak, the conversation around sustainability has been turned on its head. While the message was gradually beginning to penetrate in recent times, the new normal sees planes grounded, employees working from home, and shops, restaurants and businesses closed around the world. Carbon emissions are about to fall off a cliff.
All good for the planet, but not so much for people. Sustainability may be the last thing on their minds right now.
But when this is over what can we expect? Will the Covid-19 outbreak make us appreciate what is important?
Aideen O'Hora from consultancy firm SustainabilityWorks (sustainabilityworks.ie) says we can all make changes in terms of sustainable lifestyles, but it will mean nothing without system change. "When we all come out the other side of the crisis, it will be an opportunity to do things right from an environmental point of view."
O’Hora notes that some of the big concepts of sustainability are not dissimilar to what we are experiencing right now. “Sustainability has escalated in people’s minds over the past two or three years, with the understanding that it is a global crisis. It requires big thinking and very brave decisions,” she says.
The novel coronavirus outbreak presents an opportunity to reflect on our lifestyles, and what we ‘need’ versus what we want. O’Hora acknowledges that in the space of a few weeks, some of the core messages surrounding sustainability suddenly appear redundant.
“In normal circumstances, we would advise people to address things like food waste and encourage people to grow their own food as well as recycling and composting,” she says.
“In terms of travel, we encourage people to walk, bike, bus and to think about air travel. It’s also about reducing the amount of energy we use in our homes – switch off, and take it one step further to insulate and add renewable energy, as well as conserving the water we use in our homes, can make a huge difference.”
Yet Covid-19 will mean the choices we make may not be our own, at least in the short-term. But when the pandemic ends and normal life – whatever that may look like – resumes, people’s priorities will undoubtedly be inherently different.
“In the Covid-19 situation, some of these decisions are being made for us,” O’Hora says.
‘Knock-on impact on supply chains’
“It will have a major knock-on impact on supply chains, and while supply chains won’t shut down completely, there may be delays in getting access to goods, which will make consumers question this ‘need’ versus ‘want’.” She says companies they work with are keen to make their supply chain more sustainable in terms of environmental and human rights, and this will hopefully become more widespread.
O’Hora points out that the lockdowns faced by many countries will undoubtedly help reduce emissions in the short term, as factories and businesses are closed. “We have already seen this in China, as factories slow down or halt production and there has been a certain improvement in air quality in certain regions. That in itself will save lives.”
Fashion – thought to be the second most-polluting industry in the world – will no doubt take a knock. While sustainability had finally entered the fashion world’s lexicon in recent times, this will take on new significance.
“Clothes stores such as Primark are shutting their stores across Europe. But hypothetically, if stores that sell fast fashion are shut for the short term, then consumers will have to re-evaluate access to clothes. This allows for wonderful initiatives like Sustainable Fashion Dublin to shine,” O’Hora says.
Food waste is a major problem in Ireland, with latest estimates suggesting that Irish homes waste more than one million tonnes of food each year. The outbreak has seen unprecedented levels of stockpiling and recent weeks have seen photos of bare shelves in our supermarkets. While these have invariably been restocked the following day, much of the food that was bought may ultimately be thrown out. O’Hora urges so-called “panic buyers” to consume the produce they have bought but says social distancing may make people better plan their food for the week, shopping less and cooking more.
“In the past week we have all stocked our cupboards – now it is time to use the products that we have bought,” she says.
‘Build food resilience’
"While we are not at risk of food shortages in Ireland yet, we are dependent on the global food supply for diversity, such as different types of fruit and veg. Growing a bit more of our own can help build food resilience and relieve stress in times of anxiety. This may be a prime opportunity to grow your own food," she says, adding that the GIY website (giy.ie) offers lots of helpful tips for how to be more self-sufficient.
Both the way in which people travel, and how much of it they do, will change irrevocably. As thousands of people begin to work from home, traffic – and carbon emissions – decreases. With people spending more time in their homes, however, individual energy consumption is bound to rise, says O’Hora.
“Commuting to work is not fun, and in normal circumstances, we would encourage people to walk, cycle or take public transport. Now that people are working from home, we have a new normal. Hopefully, this will encourage employers to continue with this work practice. But we need to be conscious of the energy we use in the home, while working from home, and try to use it efficiently,” she says.
“Flight shame” is no more for now as airlines ground their fleets and borders are closed. O’Hora says people’s perspectives on travelling the globe will change, whether it is for business or pleasure.
“Every economy is a global economy and that’s particularly the case in Ireland. It will take some time for the airline industry to get back up and running and reach the peak of where they are. Once we are out the other side of this pandemic, it doesn’t mean people are not going to resume air travel, but it will make people re-evaluate the need to fly, whether for work or for leisure. Do we really need to make that business trip, or go on that holiday? People will be asking themselves that question beforehand.”