Crisis Convergence: Confronting COVID-19, Climate and Crisis With Collaboration
By APCO's Coronavirus Beat Team
One year into a global pandemic, we are now also a quarter into the “year of climate action.” Leaders around the world are confronted with amassing complex and interconnected challenges that demand shared action, individuals and communities are still grappling with the effects of COVID-19 losses and governments are struggling to distribute vaccines equitably and swiftly.
In addition to its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities around the globe, COVID-19 has also exacerbated harm to communities already suffering the worst effects of climate change, economic transition and the opioid crisis. Unequal exposure to environmental harms like smog and pollution led to increased rates of underlying medical conditions that cause serious cases of COVID-19, and in communities from coastal Texas to Australia and Mozambique, there are clear overlaps between those who were exposed to the most direct harms of climate change and higher rates of COVID-19 sickness and mortality.
If leaders are to make progress on any of the numerous crises emerging from or exacerbated by COVID-19, they must begin to think not only internally but also about organizations within their wider circles they can bring together to address these interconnected challenges. As corporations move forward from internal evaluations to creating actionable solutions within their own frameworks, their executives should keep in mind that they are not alone. It is easy to become overwhelmed in trying to confront inter-related issues when going after a single crisis, especially when every issue is urgent. The best choice is to move forward together. Where collaboration is demanded, competitiveness is best set aside. Reaching out to industry groups and experts will help reduce headaches and catalyze progress.