There are no silver linings in this devastating moment in history. But we’re learning lessons that can bring us back smarter, stronger, and more resilient than before. We can rebuild our economy with cleaner industries, follow scientists like rock stars, and solve our toughest problems when we work together.
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When treating a child with suspected coronavirus in early March, Dr. Aaron Bernstein, our director and pediatrician, made the connection that we can wash our hands and physically distance, but if we want to prevent another pandemic we need to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution.
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Climate solutions are pandemic solutions, and we need to make smart investments to:
- Bolster public health leadership and science
- Control illegal wildlife trade, which is linked to disease transmission
- Prevent deforestation to slow climate change and animal migration
- Rethink agricultural practices to prevent the spread of disease
- Increase investments in low-carbon technologies
- Reduce pollution to keep our lungs healthy
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We can make science cool again.
Brad Pitt played Dr. Anthony Fauci on
Saturday Night Live
. A virologist became an
unlikely cult figure
in Germany. Our director was interviewed by movie star
Eric Chrisian Olsen
. It’s like all the nerds are getting invited to the prom! We trust experts to guide us out of these dark times—so too must we follow their advice for taking climate action to prevent future pandemics.
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We can demand that governments put people first.
Every policy decision must protect people, not polluters. As societies rebuild and decide where to direct stimulus funds, we must prioritize cleaner industries that stop climate change and improve health. Living in a democracy means we can make our wishes loud and clear.
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We can act together, and quickly.
Our fellow human beings changed their lives overnight to flatten the curve and protect lives. We need to tap into that same spirit to bend the curve on carbon emissions.
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We can act for the benefit of others.
The pandemic made clear that we need to do more than secure our own safety; our health is tied to the well being of others.
In order for our society to succeed as a whole, we need
social solidarity, not just social distancing
.
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Let’s rebuild the economy to stop climate change and make us healthier and more productive at the same time. Not only is a brighter future affordable—we can’t afford not to make it happen
.
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A recent study
shows that renewable energy would create millions of more jobs worldwide than those provided by conventional methods, if we were to accelerate the global transition to 100% renewable by 2050:
- 21 million jobs in solar
- 1.5 million jobs in wind
- 4.5 million jobs in storage
A good place to start would be to put clean energy at the
heart of every stimulus plan
, said International Energy Agency Director Faith Birol.
“Duh,” said every climate scientist, everywhere.
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Some of the world’s leading minds have advice for how to land safely—and prosperously—in a healthy, sustainable, and just future.
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Our Board Chair Gina McCarthy and former UN Climate Chief Christiana Figueres suggest that:
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If we do these things:
- Transition to wind & solar power
- Invest in energy efficiency
- Create more walking & biking paths
- Build low-emission transport
- Plant more trees
- Hold our governments accountable
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We will gain these benefits:
- Healthier kids with stronger lungs and fewer asthma & allergy attacks
- More just and resilient communities
- More green spaces
- Fewer traumatic experiences that lead to mental and physical health problems
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Think bigger and more generously. Focus on international cooperation.
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General has a 6-point plan, and we love it:
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- Create green jobs and businesses, prioritizing decarbonization
- Direct taxpayers’ money to green jobs, not to polluting industries
- Transition in a way that leaves no one behind
- Invest in sustainable sectors while polluters pay for their pollution
- Consider climate in policies and infrastructure
- Work together as an international community—no one can succeed alone
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We encourage health leaders to be strong voices because now is the time to talk about climate action, health officials are the right experts to deliver these messages, and climate solutions are pandemic solutions.
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Then we create opportunities for media, policymakers, and educators to hear directly from these experts to inform stories that connect the dots between our environment and emerging diseases. We've hosted nearly 150 reporters on media webinars, secured over 60 interviews, and garnered over 100 articles making these connections.
We think you'll find hope in what our experts have to say:
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By Dr. Renee Salas, our Climate MD leader and ER doc
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First in our Celebrities and Scientists Series with the Environmental Media Association
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A 5-part series created in collaboration with Putney Pre-College
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In November, we get to choose the leaders who will decide how we rebuild from this crisis. We need officials who will listen to science, invest in prevention, and put health at the center of climate actions.
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