BY DOUGLAS ERNST
Hollywood icon Robert Redford says the coronavirus pandemic has produced a number of “pleasant surprises” for environmentalists who are faced with the “daunting” task of saving the planet from climate change.
The long-time activist penned an NBC op-ed with his son James on the green lessons Americans can learn from the deadly contagion.
“What has the scourge of COVID-19 revealed to us?” he asked Thursday. “Will any of these hard-won lessons help us as we turn to face the potential calamity of climate change that looms on the horizon?”
The actor pointed to President Trump as an example of “failed leadership” before pivoting to a global economic shutdown’s effect on the environment.
“There have also been some pleasant surprises,” the pair continued. “As many of the world’s transportation and industrial sectors have reduced operations, there has been a remarkable decline in global levels of carbon dioxide emissions. Of course, the cost in life and livelihood negates any celebration. Nonetheless, there is no denying that we have gotten a very real glimpse of the potential for global environmental repair. … Clearly, inertia [on green activism] is unacceptable.”
Mr. Redford then said that “the power of collective action” must be applied because “global entities unwilling to adjust their profits for the greater good” are a continued obstacle to environmentalists.
“[We need] to wrest control of environmental policies held hostage by stakeholders desperately clinging to their profits and power,” he said. “If we come together to do what we can, we can and will blunt the curve of climate change and create a better world for the many generations to come.”
Read more at Washington Times
By Robert Redford and James Redford
There have also been some pleasant surprises. As many of the world’s transportation and industrial sectors have reduced operations, there has been a remarkable decline in global levels of carbon dioxide emissions. Of course, the cost in life and livelihood negates any celebration. Nonetheless, there is no denying that we have gotten a very real glimpse of the potential for global environmental repair.
Make no mistake, the worst of climate change awaits us in the near future. The incremental and sporadic nature of climate change has not thus far motivated the sort of rapid response we have seen with COVID-19. Where does this leave us? Do we wait until the predicted droughts lead to global famine? Do we turn our backs on nations forced to uproot millions from coastal areas? Clearly, inertia is unacceptable.
COVID-19 has shown us the power of sound science, true leadership and early action. We must honor this knowledge if we want to avoid what is coming.
