Last year was challenging for students and faculty at KSS. Adjusting to covid protocols wasn't easy. The stress and uncertainty lay heavy in the air as people walked from class to class. Students were focused on their grades and their friends, things that were immediately affecting them. It was overwhelming to think about issues such as climate change, but as a new school year rolls in and the world begins to wake up, it's time to take notice of the environmental damage done while covid consumed our lives.
Many optimistic people have tried to find a silver lining to this pandemic by saying it has benefited the environment. In some ways this is true. Carbon emissions were down for a while, as was air and water pollution. Due to minimal travel, there has been a significant reduction of animals being killed and injured by cars. "-Nature is recovering while humanity stays at home-" - National Geographic. Climate experts think this is not the case.
Companies that were shut down during the pandemic struggled to bounce back. Federal governments, specifically the United States, helped companies through these times by providing financial support and reducing regulations, including many that protect the climate. By May, carbon emissions were back to what they were before the lockdown. Being eco-conscience is not always profitable but it’s crucial in order to preserve life on this planet.
A CBC article headlines that online spending has doubled since the pandemic. The main profiter, Amazon. Shipping Amazon orders takes a huge toll on the environment and their treatment of their workers is infamously unethical. It’s undeniable that Amazon is incredibly convenient. It is the go-to place for shopping online. However, there are lots of alternatives that are just as convenient and far more ethical than Amazon. eBay is recognized as being a relatively ethical and sustainable company, keeping in mind there is still the unavoidable process of shipping orders. The best option for the environment is to shop locally. There are many wonderful stores in the Town of Qualicum Beach that are losing business to online retailers. Shopping in town is also a great way to support the local economy.
The Town of Qualicum beach made many great steps towards being more environmentally friendly. These included banning plastic bags and encouraging people to bring their own mugs for coffee and drinks and own containers for bulk foods. However, these initiatives did not comply with covid restrictions. Grocery stores started giving out free plastic bags again and bringing Tupperware from home was no longer an option. Another issue is the packaging of takeout food. Eating in restaurants has become much less common and takeout is an even more popular option. Even with eating in, most cafes have been serving food in takeout boxes with plastic cutlery so they don’t have to deal with dishes and germs. While this is all completely understandable, the environmental effects are detrimental.
Covid has lasted longer than any of us could have predicted and things may never go back to the way they were before. We must continue to search for ways to preserve the planet and our health. Make finding creative solutions to our covid induced environmental problems your new priority. Remember to be kind, responsible, and safe.
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