Sustainability at the time of Covid-19

We have one earth to live and we need to take care of it. But we are exhausting the limited resources of mother earth, at an unsustainable rate. This can’t go on and something must change!

The environmentalists across the world have realized it and the UN has come up with 17 SDGs (Sustainability Development Goals) which would lead the world to a sustainable and brighter future. Key industries and organizations across the world have paid attention to these guidelines and have come up with their own sustainability targets and milestones.

To achieve these milestones, organizations across the world are driving several initiatives aimed towards changing the way they operate and consume natural resources.  IT organizations are also trying to play their part in not just being themselves sustainable but also helping their clients achieve their SDGs. Many modern-day technological innovations are focused towards developing more and more sustainable technical solutions. Some examples are shown below (Diagram by: Amol Borole).

The present Corona virus pandemic is stopping industrial activities, shutting down factories, keeping vehicles out of road and reducing overall consumption by the global population. This is resulting into a temporary reduction of global pollution and carbon emission levels. Many organizations and nations would probably think that they have achieved their SDGs for the year 2020. On paper that might be correct, but this may not be a correct approach to take. These forced reductions of NO2 level globally because of pandemic related fear and subsequent lockdown will offer only a temporary respite to the environment. Once we have left the Covid-19 behind, there would be an industrial hyperactivity to make up for the lost year in terms of economic growth. As a result, the environment would suffer even more and we would end up destroying the clean environment that we have today due to the lockdown.

Also, it is proved that the increased density of pollutants in the air helps virus to propagate at a faster rate which results in increased fatality and a larger scale pandemic. So, it is in the interest of mankind that we work together in creating a greener world. The organizations should continue aggressively with their sustainability initiatives and shouldn’t get complacent by the temporary sustainability gains forced by the COVID-19 situation. The top 10 sustainable companies of the world should lead by example in this regard even after normal economic and industrial activities resume post the pandemic.

Sustainability is not just a corporate responsibility. We as individuals, should also play our part to save the world. Let us follow some of the following to create a greener world (reduce CO2 emission), even post COVID-19!

1. Live car free (~2.4 Tons/yr) – Ride a bicycle whenever possible (The Dutch model!)
2. Fly less (~2.8 Tons/trip) – Use technology for virtual meetings (COVID-19 already taught us how!)
3. Stop eating meat (~1 Tons/yr) – Meat and Dairy products are major sources of greenhouse emission, let’s be aware of that
4. Have 1 fewer child (~60 Tons/yr) – Some day we might have to make that choice!
5. Source food locally, use less packaging materials and plastic, recycle as much as you can, cut down on disposables – Buy only what is necessary, we have learnt that now!
6. Improve your home’s energy efficiency & optimize white goods (e.g. change old freeze)
7. Save water – Embrace bath and reduce shower! Reduce your washing (clothes/cars…)

It is the time to save our planet now for the future generations. Remember what Agent Smith told Morpheus?? We don’t want to make it come true!

“Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed. The only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? --------------VIRUS-----------"