By Katrina Forrest, Surfrider Pacific Rim’s Zero Waste Expert

The root of sustainable development is community. In these trying times where self preservation and fear are rampant, sustainability seems trivial, but when we reach the other side of Covid19, climate change will still be here, an ever present reality adding layers of stress to a complex reality. 

The similarity between these two crises is the need for us to build and sustain community. For us to see the other side of both Covid19 and climate change, we need to work together, to encourage one another, to listen, and to lift each other up. 

In these tumultuous times, we build community from afar: hearts in the window, music on Facebook, and pictures on Instagram. Our community's basis is distance, and it’s creating an appreciation for just how similar we all are. From my house to yours, this town to that, and our country to others, we all just want to protect the people we love. 

If we, the human race, can work together to stay home, social distance, create rapid policy changes, create necessary social programs, and still succeed at community engagement during Covid19, imagine what we can do to slow, or even reverse climate change? 

If there is a silver lining to this pandemic, it is the proof that we are able to make the changes necessary to tackle a global crisis. We are able to revolutionize how we work, how we commute, and how we consume, and we are doing it for the betterment of all of us.

It is now clear that although hard, we are able to recreate the systems that are causing the climate to change so rapidly. A global effort can be made to protect the climate and our species. And although we haven’t recreated the systems yet, we can see a path forward. We can hunker down and put on our thinking caps. 

When it affects our immediate health and well being, we listen to experts, take their advice to heart, and create appropriate change. We are seeing huge reductions in smog and air pollution simply due to the lack of commuters. We are making a temporary positive change for the climate peripherally in our action to combat Covid19. Imagine how quickly we could tackle climate change if we brought the same determination and global coordination to the issue. 

In this limbo, create systems that strengthen you, your neighborhood, and your community. Get to know the people around you, across the fence of course. What are their needs? Can you help them? 

We can also do something for the planet while we wait out the storm. Plant a garden with native plants to encourage natural pollinators which will help both you and your community. Do some research into an environmental topic that has always interested you and see if there is a way for you to join in, maybe through an app like iNaturalist. 

We are getting through this because we are treating each other with love and respect. We say hello when passing on our walks, we leave surprises for kids to spot, we share music, photography, artwork, love. We are holding one another up and that shouldn't stop when we reach the other side. Let’s continue to knit together the fabric of our community and decide how we will move forward together, prioritizing the regeneration of the environment.

When this is history, let's continue to listen to our experts, let’s continue to examine our priorities, and let’s continue to build better systems that serve both us and our environment. Let’s not give up this strength of purpose we have come together to create; let’s instead redirect it.