What COVID-19 teaches us about climate action – Part 2: The Government’s Role

There are few things scarier than COVID-19 right now. With the potential to bring about human extinction, climate change is definitely a contender. Can we draw from this pandemic to strengthen our battle against climate change? 

This is the second article in a three-part series that discusses what COVID-19 teaches us about tackling climate change, and how to use these lessons to improve our impact on the earth.

Lesson #3: Governments can lead when tackling nationwide crises. 

Several of the most effective countries in tackling the pandemic, have been countries where the government has the capacity to take – and has taken – swift and decisive measures. For instance, since February, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore swiftly enacted travel bans despite the WHO’s insistence that such bans were unnecessary. They began actively testing for cases and conducted comprehensive contact tracing, enabled by a rich database of citizens’ information. Quarantine and isolation protocols are strictly enforced, to the extent of legal action. In countries where individual autonomy is highly valued and government interference is frowned upon, citizens may be less willing to give up some privacy and autonomy in exchange for efficient policy-making. 

South Korea's quick response and swift implementation of mass drive-thru testing have been widely praised. Photo credit: The Straits Times

Takeaway: Government intervention is crucial in making compassion for the earth a collective movement.

Might we apply a similarly strong governmental approach to climate change as to COVID-19? It is worth considering if and how governments can take a stronger approach in climate action. A country’s leadership is its national figurehead and citizens’ first port-of-call when it comes to crisis management. A quarter-million people a year may die because of climate change in the coming decades. Surely, that is more than enough to classify climate change as a crisis. Saving the planet requires a united front and the government can be a very strong leader.

As a first step, the government has an important role to play in raising awareness for climate change and cultivating compassion for the earth within its citizens. Through environment campaigns and constant emphasis on the environment in national speeches, the government can draw citizens’ attention to the suffering around them and their role in this suffering. Urban planning to incorporate a range of biodiversity into a green cityscape can also play a part in evoking curiosity about and love for nature. This will motivate people to act out of compassion for the earth to alleviate the earth’s suffering.

In which London would you feel more connected to the earth? Photo credits: PBC Today, The Montcalm

The government also has a role to play in practicing compassion for the earth and encouraging acts of compassion. This can be done through policymaking and government initiatives. For example, building infrastructure and providing rebates for electric cars enables more people to see such cars as viable options and reduces carbon monoxide emissions. Investing into research on plant-based meat and more energy-efficient batteries is a meaningful use of taxpayers’ money that helps further sustainable development and encourage more sustainability research.

Governments can engage citizens in environmental initiatives to unite the country in saving the planet. Small initiatives like inviting citizens for a tree-planting day bring people together in practicing compassion for the earth and emphasise the existence of a shared human experience. This strengthens the connection people have with each other and with the earth. Looking after the earth and our fellow humans becomes a joyful, beautiful experience.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong plants a tree with residents and ministers before launching the Clean And Green SG50 carnival. Photo credit: The Straits Times

As national leaders, governments have proven essential players in crisis management. It is time for them to take the reins when it comes to saving our planet, not just from COVID-19 but from climate change as well.