As noted, it’s hard to find the balance between COVID-19 reporting and climate change. But a few thoughtful articles caught my attention today.
Coronavirus and climate change could stretch FEMA beyond its limits (Bloomberg Green): “While the disaster-response agency is better known for its work in the aftermath of storms than disease outbreaks, it is the part of the federal government often charged with procuring supplies quickly,” the article reads while exploring whether FEMA can “handle both a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis and the upcoming spring flood season. The National Weather Service warned this week that flooding could affect 128 million Americans this year.”
“FEMA is stretched,” said James Kendra, who directs the Disaster Research Center at the University of Delaware. “All the other hazards we have in the U.S. will not go away and will only complicate the task of responding to the coronavirus.”
Coronavirus holds key lessons on how to fight climate change (Yale Environment 360) “The coronavirus pandemic and the slower-moving dangers of climate change parallel one another in important ways, and experts say the aggressive, if belated, response to the outbreak could hold lessons for those urging climate action,” the article reads. “In the case of the virus, the danger is the number of infected people overwhelming health care systems; with climate change, it is that emissions growth will overwhelm our ability to manage consequences such as droughts, floods, wildfires, and other extreme events.”
Hang in there, friends! We are all in this together!