Why COVID-19 is Not Benefiting the Environment
Some people claim that COVID-19 has benefitted the environment because our consumption, tourism and world population have decreased. A few social media posts go as far as claiming "humans are the virus" and the earth in our host. Don't let these posts fool you — the coronavirus is most def NOT benefitting our environment.
Why isn't COVID benefitting the environment?
Millions of people worldwide have died from COVID-19 and millions more have refrained from traveling and consuming in the last year. These changes have indeed reduced pollution in high-traffic areas and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 7% globally. However, there are a few major problems with deeming these changes environmental wins.
First, these environmental changes are temporary. After the pandemic passes, most of the world will return to consuming, traveling, polluting and living normally. Our most dangerous environmental ills, such as deforestation, climate change and pollution, have not subsided and are only worsening. If our environmental crises are like an avalanche, COVID-19 is more like a boulder on the mountain than an impenetrable wall. This disease is not creating lasting, positive environmental changes.
Second, these environmental conditions are only surface-level changes. Reduced visible pollution and greenhouse gas emissions are the most celebrated environmental results of COVID-19. A few months with less pollution and emissions is great. However, even if these changes lasted, they would not lead to significant ecological betterment. Remember, emissions have only decreased by 7% globally. For comparison, the EU aims to reduce its emissions by 55% by 2030. Clearly, to create a sustainable future, we need much more comprehensive changes than reduced human activity.
Third, some countries (including the U.S. and Canada) have relaxed environmental policies in response to the pandemic. Neither country has announced when they will bring these policies back, leaving many wondering if they ever will. Although these relaxed rules might not have major short-term effects, they will likely lead to more land, water and air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss long-term.
Lastly, suggesting that human death and lowered quality of life improve nature ignores that humans are part of nature. If humans are not alive and well, nature is not alive and well. Killing people is never the solution to environmental problems (or ANY problem, obvs). Claims that the pandemic is helping our earth invoke ecofascist beliefs, which are linked to Nazi-ism, white supremacy and several recent mass shootings. This connection between COVID-19 and ecofascism is perhaps the most consequential reason that the pandemic is not benefitting our environment.
What is ecofacism?
Ecofascism is a government system based on the belief that we should prioritize nature's needs over human needs. Often, people use the term "ecofascism" to refer to either the government system or the beliefs associated with it.
Arguing that the coronavirus benefits our environment (or that "humans are the virus") aligns with ecofascist beliefs because it suggests humans should suffer in order to heal our earth. And because not everyone has suffered equally during the pandemic, these claims also imply a hierarchy of people who deserve to suffer for nature.
This hierarchy creates the incredibly problematic and dangerous conclusion of ecofascist beliefs: the weakest or most marginalized people should be sacrificed for our earth.
What is the history of ecofacism?
Several governments and fringe political movements throughout history have invoked ecofascist beliefs. Nazi Germany is perhaps the closest example of an ecofascist government in recent history. The Nazi's environmental motives were most apparent in their slogan "Blood and Soil." This unsettling catchphrase captured the Nazi's connection to the land, declaring that only those with German blood were destined to rule their home soil.
Others have claimed that vegetarianism and planting trees were popular among Nazis, but there is mixed evidence supporting these claims. Although not all Nazi beliefs aligned with ecofascism, many Nazi arguments were rooted in ecology.
Throughout history, fringe fascist movements have continued to embrace environmental arguments. More recent examples of ecofascism include the 2017 Charlottesville, Virginia rioters chanting "Blood and Soil;" the Christchurch, New Zealand and El Paso, Texas mass murders citing environmental motives; and, of course, current far-right conversations about COVID-19. Ecofascist beliefs are not going away. In reality, these beliefs may be gaining steam as fascist, white-supremacist and Neo-Nazi circles recruit using ecological arguments.
How can we fight ecofascism?
Being an intersectional environmentalist is the best way to fight against ecofascism and other far-right environmental arguments. Call your representatives and spread the word about both sustainability issues and social issues. I wrote a whole article about intersectional sustainability if you'd like a more detailed explanation of actionable steps!
You could also call out (kindly, and call in) people on social media who argue that COVID-19 benefits the environment. Many people don't realize the potential toxicity of posts claiming that coronavirus is healing the world. If you see your friends or family sharing these posts, nicely explain to them COVID-19 is NOT helping our planet!