We find ourselves in an unprecedented global situation that is coloured by the planet’s pandemic and our response to this growing public health crisis. Just as we see with social and ecological justice issues, it’s compromised individuals who are and will end up suffering the most from the COVID-19 virus. For those of us that have healthy and safe places to isolate and have extra time on our hands, I’ve put together a resource list below of petitions, reading lists, articles, and other environmental goodies. This crisis is both a cause and a reflection of the state of imbalance on the planet and is yet another wake-up call for us to change our act: to instate environmental justice, to invest in a low-carbon economy, to address widespread pollution, and work towards climate justice.
As Environmental Defence stated, “According to the Globe and Mail, the federal and Alberta governments will soon announce a multibillion-dollar bailout to support the oil and gas sector. We agree that financial support is needed for employees across the country right now. However, we can’t allow the COVID-19 crisis to make us blind to other massive challenges that we faced before this crisis began and will still exist after its over, like fighting climate change, ending plastic pollution, keeping our water clean, and removing toxic chemicals from the products we use.
We still need to act. And if we start to create plans and fund them now we can build an economy and society that are stronger and more resilient than before the crisis began.”
Now is the time for us to use this time constructively to deepen our awareness, advance our effectiveness as citizens and/or activists, to show up more for each other and the planet, and use this forced pause as a global reset for reaching equilibrium. I also realize this may not be at the top of people’s priorities, but if we have the capacity to be more involved, then let’s use this time constructively and strategically because, at the end of this, we will still have all of our environmental flooding our porches.
This is also a living document, so I’ll continue to add to this, feel free to send me more resources, too!
Online petitions & At-Home Actions:
Principles for a Just Recovery from COVID-19 - 350.org
Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau about oil package bailout midst coronavirus crisis - STAND.earth
TRUDEAU: BAIL-OUT WORKERS NOT OIL AND GAS MILLIONAIRES AND CEOS - Greenpeace
Strengthen the Canadian Environmental Protection Act - David Suzuki Foundation
Protect the Oceans: Add your name to help cover our planet in ocean sanctuaries, and call on governments to agree a strong Global Ocean Treaty at the UN - Greenpeace
Urge the federal government to increase budget for environment and climate - Environmental Defence
More Governments Must Follow China's Example in the Fight Against Coronavirus - Ban All Wildlife Markets! - One Green Planet
Take Action to Stop Plastic Pollution, Plastic Pollution Coalition
Boreal caribou need your voice The iconic species is in danger of disappearing - Ecojustice
Everyday Actions - Rainforest Alliance
Resources:
Read, Watch, Listen - Surfrider Pacific Rim Resource Report - (ALL ENCOMPASSING!!)
ALL ARTICLES - Ethical Unicorn, seriously, just read everything on her website if you can.
Surfrider Foundation Coastal Blog - Surfrider Foundation
Increasing green living practices as we spend more time from home - The Ecohub
CELEBRATING SPRING EQUINOX FROM SELF-ISOLATION, HOLLYROSE.ECO
Zero waste living tips - Going Zero Waste
Sustainable practices and living - Forage and Sustain
*Check the resource page of this website for more documentaries and books!
Information on COVID-19, Climate Change, and the Environment
How Canada can build an environmentally sustainable future after the COVID-19 Crisis, Environmental Defence
Coronavirus Capitalism - and How to Beat It (video) - Common Dreams
Coronavirus poses threat to climate action, says watchdog, The Guardian
Coronavirus could weaken climate change action and hit clean energy investment, researchers warn, CNBC
Coronavirus Is the Perfect Disaster for ‘Disaster Capitalism’, Naomi Klein Interview in Vice
'Tip of the iceberg': is our destruction of nature responsible for Covid-19? The Guardian
Coronavirus response proves the world can act on climate change, The Conversation
Free Online Environmental Courses
Global Volunteer Leadership Training, Greenpeace. People can join until March 31st, I’m in this one now!
Circular Economy, Ellen Macarthur Foundation
Soil Advocate Training Course, Kiss the Ground
Human Rights, Amnesty International
Introductory e-Course on Climate change - United Nations
Make Change Happen. The Open University and Oxfam
