Coronavirus is nothing compared to the catastrophic climate change we are facing - YEP letters

The global effect of the coronavirus has been a radical one. As we emerge slowly from lock down, I think we need to review how we all live our lives.

Coronavirus is hopefully a short term issue, but it is a mere distraction compared to the catastrophic climate change racing down the line. The effect of a sharp fall in the usual human activities has been dramatic. Our air is cleaner to breathe. Our roads have been quieter and safer. Wildlife has thrived where the human footprint has been reduced.

In human terms, we have found a much better sense of community and care for each other. Across the country countless voluntary groups have proved there is such a thing as society, as people have found ways to help each other in extraordinary ways.

Of course, this situation is temporary, and under our current economic system cannot be maintained forever. If we are not to reverse all these improvements as we move forward, we need to move forward differently.

So many people commute every day to an office to do what can be done at home. I go in one day per week, working four from home, and this has reduced my commuting miles hugely.

This transformation will be difficult. We need to eradicate the digital divide, so everyone can access the technology. People working in a range of sectors will need to retrain into new areas of employment. We need a radical shift to green technologies.

This period has been tough, but we have glimpsed what a more sustainable future could look like. With the correct political leadership, and support from the public, we can have a better, cleaner world.

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Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor​