The New Normal and Sustainability

The New Normal and Sustainability

While the world grappled with the tumultuous impact due to Covid-19 pandemic across various angles of human lives, there were few soothing headlines as far as Mother Nature is concerned. With more than half of world population been locked down inside the four walls of their shelters, lives of human race has significantly changed since last couple of months. Even though threat of the epidemic and the spread still looms, we have decided to embrace the ‘new normal’ to ensure continuity.

Hospitals being overwhelmed, and front line workers struggling to upkeep the health and wellness of the society, there was significant environmental healing being evidenced across the globe. Thanks to the reduction in traffic, little to no tourists thronging various bio-diverse sites. Pictures of reduced pollution, cleaner water, rejuvenation of animal lives were all that we had wished for, but never worked towards.

View from Dubai during movement restrictions imposed due to Covid-19

At present, we are acclimatizing ourselves to adjust with the new normal to practice social distancing, to don masks & gloves, to limit interaction and being extreme cautious with all forms of potential spread of Covid-19. In fact, this has resulted in increased consumption of single-use masks, gloves, PPEs, disposable cutleries, additional usage of packaging materials, sanitizers, soaps and more alarmingly the amount of water.

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This ‘New Normal’ is predicted to be existing at least this year, unless there are rays of hope on potential vaccine gets developed, distributed and vaccinated wide spread. So, how could we not only protect ourselves, but also the Mother Nature to prevent it from bearing more waste?

Since this situation is unprecedented, and weighing on the importance of hygiene, more and more products for disinfection and sanitization will be used rampantly. Also, social distancing has led to accommodating less-than-half capacity of people in various facilities (Public Transportation, Flights, Cinemas, Shopping etc.) Considering all these ‘new normal’. Hence, it is only prudent to strike a balance between the two, but how?

  • Use your own stuff, sanitize and reuse it. (Rely less on disposable and single-use items)
  • Conserve water by turning the tap off while washing your hands.
  • Be minimalist, and keep a tab on your spending. Focus more on your needs than wants. (Hoarding and panic buying also to be discouraged. We should mind the fact that production rates are plummeting)
  • Dispose waste responsibly, use proper segregation. (Do not dump waste irresponsibly, especially used face masks, gloves, plastic etc.)
  • Use facilities if you really wanted do. Give opportunity for the most needed ones. (By overwhelming the facilities additional spaces are to be found, which is again additional resource consumption)
  • Use technology and digital tools for connecting with others (This helps save on fuel, food wastage, and prevents the spread of Covid-19)
More than ever, innovation, collective efforts are the need of the hour to drive out the threat and to cushion the impact of current situation.
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Another pressing issue is the race towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals -2030. We began this year with the theme of ‘decade of action’, but it seems like we should adapt to more agile and flexible methods towards achieving the SDG targets before the set deadlines. 

Benson S Paul

I Help You Achieve Financial Freedom In <5 Years Without Sacrificing Happiness Using Short-Term Investments

8mo

Loving the spotlight on sustainability! With everything going on, we're getting a crash course in how to live more consciously. Great writing skills and thanks for sharing.

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Prince Manova

"Experienced in QHSE and Sales | Driving Quality, Compliance, and Business Growth"

4y

Good article Hashir Hashim CQE, PMP because environment can only be protected by the behavior of the human beings which has its own balance.

Nadia Ibrahim

MIDDLE EAST DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY - A Passionate Sustainability Leader championing Net Zero, Decarbonization, Circular Economy & Zero Waste, ESG & Sustainable Tourism.

4y

Very insightful article Hashir. I agree that Covid-19 has exhibited the urgency of nurturing nature. However I could see that the sudden panic to a larger extend has seen a sudden shift in sustainability. Disposables became preferred over reusables, economic instability created more impact on natural resources especially biodiversity; in many part poaching & deforestation was rampant & companies pushed sustainability to focus more on economic resurrection. What we require is not a short-term sustainable gains but we need to think how we on the long run we can maintain sustainable way of living & livelihood. Sustainability should be a stable process during uncertainty.

Sana Bagersh

Leading social impact through platforms, partnerships and advocacy. Interculturalism Expert, AI Advocacy, Strategic Communication. Digital Transformation, Thought Leadership. DEI/ ESG Advisor. Speaker, Author, Coach.

4y

Pragmatic no-nonsense advice 👍 Hashir Hashim CQE, PMP

Daxita Rajcoomar

Sustainability, EHS Professional LEED AP , WELL AP, WELL Faculty, Chief Sustainability Officer; SDG's

4y

100% agree with your points Hashir. Yet again we are faced with the challenge of Safety vs Environment. But the 2 can definitely co-exist and balance each other.. We as individuals need to balance our consumption patterns through this period. As for the "new normal" - my question is - for how long before we revert to our old habits? That's why as individuals we should cease this opportunity of change and embrace it with new habits one that conserves. I just hope the lockdown and impacts of the pandemic were enough to highlight the positives..

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