Work on a post-pandemic normal

NEWDELHI:The Covid-19 pandemic has left many global cities marvelling that the air they could barely breathe just a month ago has turned clean. From Delhi to Lebanon, there’s surprise, delight and relief. Several other conversations point out greenhouse gas emissions have plummeted, possibly with long-term results. These are good trends for several reasons. The pleasure of clean air is not to be underestimated. In these times of stress, it offers exuberance, as does the idea of possibly winning a battle against the greatest environmental crisis of our time. We finally have evidence that all is not lost.

Right now, all efforts must be focussed on the pandemic, people impacted by it directly and indirectly—workers, health workers, businesses. But global institutions, states, leaders, and businesses must work out a new normal in the post-Covid-19 world. Asking citizens to do their bit is fashionable these days, but citizens act on incentives and possibilities. Their role is important, but it’s also limited. Creating conditions for the most needed actions are state and global responsibilities. They’ve done a very poor job of it till now. The US, overwhelmed with the tragedy of Covid-19 at this point, has pulled out of the Paris Agreement. Surely there’s a tale hanging here?

This pandemic has brought untold sorrow and hardship upon the world. We can plough through the miseries with unchanged ambitions. Or, we can dream again for the planet—a more audacious dream of healing, nurturing and turning back the wrongs that have threatened life in recent decades.