How coronavirus can help us live more sustainably

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is no small matter. It has shaken up the global economy and changed our individual, personal lives. Despite initial claims and optimism that downplayed it, it has turned out to be a very real, very serious pandemic. But humans have also proved they can always overcome tragedies and become stronger through trials, so this cloud may have a silver lining as well. Namely, it may just shine a light on how we may live more sustainably after the coronavirus is conquered.

Governments across the world are resorting to restrictive measures, including banning large gatherings. This is often a personal choice as well, but most EU countries are now working to avoid Italy’s staggering numbers. China has responded locally as well, as have the US and other governments, East and West. Such measures have very visible effects on businesses, commuting, and even manufacturing. Supply lines have been disrupted, working conditions have changed, and panic-buying has become a response to limited movement.

But as we try to adjust and overcome the danger, we may very well see actual benefits to this state. The environment has benefitted from decreased human activity - that much we can all assume. But more specifically, we can observe such noticeable examples as;

●       Lower personal transportations emissions

●       Lower manufacturing emissions

●       Lower supply chain emissions

●       Less pollution on landmarks and sites, such as the canals of Venice

●       More eco-friendly work solutions, such as telecommuting

So we can safely deduce that we do have viable solutions in our hands. This trial may reveal how we, both on country levels and as individuals, can live more sustainably. 

Commuting

With limited transportation, businesses, schools, and universities have had to adapt. Away from physical transportation and the emissions that it causes, telecommuting has already proven to be a more eco-friendly, sustainable solution.

Reducing our carbon footprint can begin with reducing our optional commute, but a shift on this level hasn’t often been discussed as much. In many modern fields, colleagues can collaborate from a distance. Teachers and students can as well, and so can freelance professionals. In an effort to sustain our workflow and remain active, we may have found a great eco-friendly way to do so.

Our current traffic emissions are likely not a way to live sustainably

Telecommuting is both easy to use and very affordable. Videoconferences are a very viable alternative to physical meetings, both for business matters and education. Most such services, such as Skype and Google Hangouts (among others), are very affordable too – free options already exist. If those cannot meet your needs, paid services are very affordable and lenient. Many of them only require that one person pay the monthly subscription, and they can then host large teams and groups. Skype for Business costs as little as $2 per month, and a single account can host meetings with up to 250 people – perfect for education institutions. Google Hangouts offers 30GB of storage for $5, and unlimited storage for $10 – ideal for businesses that rely on file-sharing. Those aside, the cost of such services usually ranges from roughly $10 to $20 a month and often includes additional tools.

There are potential challenges, for sure. Ease-of-use may not be one of them, but team members will need to have the needed tools as well. Doing so may mean that more people buy accounts to be able to host meetings – but the cost is mostly negligent. For fields such as relocation services, such options may not exist - but such professionals as the ones at fourwinds-ksa.com still find ways to reduce their commuting needs. 

TP

An issue that’s far more serious than it sounds, toilet paper use is actually worth considering. In emergencies and times of need, it’s TP that is often bought in bulk. That in itself is understandable, but do we really live sustainably in this regard?

Toilet paper is not used in the same amounts around the world. It may be extreme to suggest that we do away with it, but just how much we use is worth discussing. The average Brazilian uses 38-40 rolls a year, while the French use 70-72 and Americans average a staggering 140-142 a year. More than 50% of Americans use 10 or more rolls a month, and the vast majority (over 80%) use 5 or more. For an average family of four, those numbers become massive; roughly 560 a year.

Massive amounts of paper are not recycled every year

Doing as little as counting the sheets and cutting down on them, you can benefit both your own budget and the environment. A 50% reduction, where possible, is an immediate 50% reduction in TP expenses; for an American family, this can be approximately $80 per person per year – or $320 per year per household. At the same time, you will reduce the industry’s emissions and the countless tons of paper that are needlessly used or not recycled.

Shopping locally and sustainably

On the subject of shopping, the vital COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions have made us limit our shopping trips. Shopping has different cultural connotations in different countries, but in essence, it is the same – industry and transportation emissions are tied to it. From import & export companies acting responsibly, to individuals reconsidering their day-to-day lives, there is much that can be done. This may be a good chance for us to reconsider our shopping habits, then.

The amount of waste we produce because of consumerism is massive

Supply chains have already been disrupted, which leads many people to shop locally. Hygiene and proximity to others have also limited our trips and shopping times, which also limits how many non-essential items we buy. This is no doubt a way to shop sustainably since it reduces both our own car emissions and carbon footprint, and industrial emissions that consumerism fuels. It helps us support local markets and farms, which very often produce far less CO2 emissions than industrial manufacturing and megafarms do. On a personal level, this also helps us grow deeper community bonds, and thus solidarity and social cohesion.

Shopping responsibly does have benefits, then, not unlike online shopping. Consolidating essential shopping more can help you schedule weekly shopping; fewer deliveries or trips, thus fewer emissions. Online shopping certainly has its own environmental costs as well, but a heavier focus on it over how we shop now will be a net benefit. Limiting non-essential shopping goes hand in hand with this, as reconsidering how much of what you buy is truly essential will come up. Consumerism does have cultural weight, and such concepts as shopping therapies may need to be challenged in this context. Global CO2 emissions have already been visibly decreased due to the emergency, but why should we not continue this way when it is over?