Since the coronavirus outbreak exploded in early March, more than 95 percent of people in the United States have made changes to their lifestyle, including stockpiling food and practicing social distancing, according to researchers at Stanford University and Baylor University.
Across the world we see a similar trend. The follow chart shows the COVID-driven lifestyle changes people have made in the U.S., UK and Germany:
(source: Statista 2020)
When I first saw these data, I was floored by the uniform response millions of people are making to an understood global threat. It made me think about the mixed response to the “understood” global threat of climate change. So I pose these questions to you creed readers:
Why do you think that people are willing to make major lifestyle changes to stem Covid but not for climate change?
Why are nations willing to sacrifice jobs by the millions and risk deep recession to fight coronavirus but resist funding decarbonization?
People are willing to make major lifestyle changes to stem Covid but not for climate change due to the immediate consequences of Covid and seeing their loved ones suffer. It is more personal and direct. Many feel that climate change can be put on the back burner and dealt with later.
Hi! Echoing the thoughts of Jose, I think it’s the combo of the Covid spreading so rapidly and being seen as deadly, as well as the urgency and seriousness that the media is portraying. It’s pretty much plastered everywhere, that someone or something is connected to the virus so it’s inescapable to receive this information unless you live under a rock. Climate change is definitely not talked about as regularly in the media, so many don’t realize the seriousness and urgency of this issue and in turn wont make the needed lifestyle changes.
Hello Walter. Possibly because COVID-19 is a direct tangible threat to many people today whereas Climate Change, to many, is an ephemeral and distant threat. Albeit getting closer and more personally impactful each and every day. Be well and stay safe! Bruce C. Belliveau, CFA
Hi Walter. Good question. I think evidence of a quarter of a million people dead from the virus is very convincing, medical experts urging for immediate action and deployment of government policy and resources for quick and evasive action are all reasons for the difference. Is there one reported death directly tied to climate change? I haven't heard of one. Hope all is well with you, Jose Perez
People are willing to make major lifestyle changes to stem Covid but not for climate change due to the immediate consequences of Covid and seeing their loved ones suffer. It is more personal and direct. Many feel that climate change can be put on the back burner and dealt with later.
Hi! Echoing the thoughts of Jose, I think it’s the combo of the Covid spreading so rapidly and being seen as deadly, as well as the urgency and seriousness that the media is portraying. It’s pretty much plastered everywhere, that someone or something is connected to the virus so it’s inescapable to receive this information unless you live under a rock. Climate change is definitely not talked about as regularly in the media, so many don’t realize the seriousness and urgency of this issue and in turn wont make the needed lifestyle changes.
Hello Walter. Possibly because COVID-19 is a direct tangible threat to many people today whereas Climate Change, to many, is an ephemeral and distant threat. Albeit getting closer and more personally impactful each and every day. Be well and stay safe! Bruce C. Belliveau, CFA
Hi Walter. Good question. I think evidence of a quarter of a million people dead from the virus is very convincing, medical experts urging for immediate action and deployment of government policy and resources for quick and evasive action are all reasons for the difference. Is there one reported death directly tied to climate change? I haven't heard of one. Hope all is well with you, Jose Perez