A tale of two crises: coronavirus and climate change
We are living in an age of two crises. In some ways, the two are alike.
COVID-19 doesn’t care about press conferences, tweets, opinions, or talking heads. It simply does what a virus does. It finds hosts, replicates, goes through its cycle, wreaking havoc. We ignore the reality of COVID-19 at our peril.
Climate change is much the same. Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses continue to rise. The data doesn’t change with denials, conspiracy theories, or other distractions. As global average temperatures continue their inexorable rise, we see the changes made manifest in stronger storms, the disappearance of Arctic sea ice, and horrific forest fires.
Two profound crises, both with terrible consequences for our species, both predicted by scientists, both ignored by many of those in power. Where they greatly differ is in the speed of their progress toward catastrophe.
Consider our lives just a few short months ago. Something was going on in China, something far away, of little concern to us. Then we saw the horror of the pandemic, the astonishing numbers of confirmed cases — and deaths — that galvanized responsible leaders into action. We locked down, stayed at home, self-quarantined. Our economy slammed to near standstill. Congress acted at breakneck speed, desperate to cushion the blow.
Three months ago, the kids were in school, the stores were crowded, we were planning weekends and vacations. That now seems eons ago. But we found that heeding the advice of experts, acting rationally, we could begin to see a path forward. Now most of us are taking cautious steps, careful to measure the consequences, hopefully moving toward better times.
But the emergency we call climate change moves at a far different pace. The changes are subtle in the near term. It’s harder to gauge than a COVID-19 test, or a body count in an urban hospital. Rising global average temperature, the loss of glacial ice on Mount Rainier, the lengthening of forest fire season: What do all those things have to do with our daily lives in South Sound?
Perhaps our nature is to practice societal denial until a full-blown crisis smacks us between the eyes. That’s a crucial problem with climate change. By the time even the deniers can’t find a way to ignore the reality, the baked-in impacts will cause unimaginable consequences and suffering.
Unfortunately, we can’t expect leadership at the national level. The Trump administration’s actions have been breathtakingly wrong-headed. Reversing federal efforts to improve vehicle efficiency, leaving the international climate accord, promoting fossil fuel use — the list is both long and sad.
We can be more optimistic about what’s going on locally. In spite of the challenges of working while staying home, our local governments are continuing the development of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan. This ambitious effort should lead to a comprehensive suite of actions that can be taken at the local level.
At this writing, it appears that there should be a draft plan available for review and comment this summer, perhaps by late July or early August. Watch for that to happen. You will find the plan on the Thurston Regional Planning Council website when a draft is ready.
This plan is our chance to work together to address this crisis without further delay. Local governments will need to hear from us to commit to a strong plan that will benefit our region. Let’s not miss the chance to make progress right here at home.
Cleve Pinnix is a retired State Parks Commission director, a Panorama resident, and a member of The Olympian’s 2020 Board of Contributors. Reach him at cfp.ranger44@gmail.com.
This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 5:45 AM.