What does the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mean to you? (Feel free to comment on the post) It seems to me that the threat of the virus does different things to different people. Whereas some people take pride in continuing business as usual, treating the virus as a media panic, others are deeply concerned. There are clear signs of anxiety and fear in the population. The threats of isolation and a trade standstill are just as pertinent as the disease for many. This is seen not the least in the competition to get our hands on toilet paper and the food with the longest shelf life. COVID-19 has turned many of us into ‘survivalists’, a term referring to people convinced of and preparing for the end of the world as we know it due to changing climates.Following failures to contain the virus within China, governments around the world are responding forcefully by restricting travel, access and social gatherings.This is the aspect of the pandemic that stands out to me the most. The extent and the speed of the response to the virus, unlike anything many of us have ever experienced before.Although, climate change is increasingly considered an emergency, the forceful response to the virus is unparalleled to anything yet witnessed in relation to climate change.
COVID-19 is showing us the full capacity of the governments’ powers. In a moment of crisis, they can put in force regulation making everyday lifeunrecognisable. The Federal government of Australia was quick to put in place a travel bans from China, restricting access for a lot of people attempting to return to work and studies in Australia. More recently a travel ban from Italy was put in place and a number of countries have closed their borders completely. The reactions to the virus are thus reinforcing national boarders as these are seen as natural boundaries to be protected, while the virus continues to transgress these restrictions. In addition, on Friday the Federal government announced that any gatherings of over 500 people are to be cancelled. This is assumed to be just the beginning of increased restrictions. Victoria and the Capital Territory have now joined various other states and announced a state of emergency due to the virus. This endows the authorities with additional power to impose a 14-day isolation period for all people arriving in Australia, with large ramifications on the tourist industry. It also gives authorised officers the power to detain people and to prevent or restrict peoples’ movements. In Italy, for example, the government has restricted the movement of people in the whole country. They are only to travel to work and for health purposes. Gyms, theatres, sport events, schools and universities are all closed while restaurants and cafes are allowed to operate until 6 pm. In Australia it seems we are moving in this direction.
Perhaps this is an indication of what is to come as the effects of climate change become increasingly tangible. However, the main argument I want to put forth here is that the measures put in place to prevent the propagation of the virus speak to the governments’ capacity to act in times of crisis. Faced with an emergency, democratic governments can endow themselves with the additional power to act, as proven by the restrictions imposed to contain the current pandemic. What COVID-19 is showing us is the width of restrictions put in place to protect public health. This seems to be quite reasonable restrictions, considering the harm associated with a rapid peak of infections. However, it highlights the lack of response in relation to the slower process of climate change. Why is the government not reacting more forcefully in response to climate change? Comparatively, travel bans could be put in place, transport could be restricted and mass gatherings requiring large amounts of energy could be stopped to reduce strain on the climate. But none of this is being done.
Extinction rebellion and others are protesting governments’ inaction to address climate change. They argue for the framing of climate change as an emergency and for political leaders to treat it as such and launch into action. Climate change is like a much slower virus that has been spreading around the globe for over a century. Most of us are carriers, manly the wealthier nations in the Global North. Nonetheless, just as in the case of COVID-19, the most vulnerable populations will be the worst affected. Yet, little is being done to mitigate the effects and to halt its development. Climate change is, contrary to scientific evidence, not considered an emergency on par with the corona pandemic. It appears that the slower heating of the globe does not warrant immediate political action whereas the more rapid spread of the virus is. The government has the power to make important changes, but the slower development of climate change is not provoking the same response. Climate change might be happening at a slower rate but let us not be misled, we might already be past the point of no return.
Atmospheres of Change 