the most recent ipcc report affirms with very high confidence that our window of opportunity to secure a livable and sustainable future for all is rapidly closing. solutions of scale and speed are in high demand. 

however, not all solutions are made equal. climate mitigation efforts have often hindered local development and burdened low-income communities. it’s well established that communities living in extreme poverty are the most vulnerable to climate hazards, while also having contributed the least to historical emissions. truly sustainable mitigation plans must therefore include realistic development pathways for low- and middle-income countries. 

scientists are certain that global temperatures will now overshoot 1.5 degrees of warming, triggering irreversible damage. with the current commitments, the ipcc has predicted there will be 3.2 degrees of warming by 2100. there is a mere 5% chance that the earth will stay below 2 degrees of warming.

the planet is desperate for an improved climate policy toolkit. 

recently, a new policy focused on financial incentives, has been published, providing reason for hope. the global carbon reward (gcr), proposed by dr. delton chen, and described in kim stanly robinson’s acclaimed climate fiction novel a ministry for the future, aims to incentivize individuals, companies and governments to significantly reduce their carbon emissions through a rewards based system. 

the ambitious scheme proposes using a monetary policy to achieve the goals of the paris accords, reduce the climate finance gap and incentivize direct industry change. unlike fiscal policies, which are managed by individual governments, monetary policies are managed collectively by the world’s central banks, who have the resources and flexibility to address socio-economic problems. 

current carbon policies most commonly use a “stick” approach – they punish emitters for their carbon footprints. the gcr policy instead suggests a “carrot” strategy – one that rewards people when they decarbonize.

economic strategies that penalize companies through carbon taxes, carbon offsets and cap-and-trade are still needed, dr. chen says. but for maximum cooperation and efficiency, his team believes current schemes cannot work alone.

the currency or reward will be given to applicants as a conditional grant, and only after greenhouse gas mitigation activities are measured, reported, and verified, will applicants receive monetary value. 

the policy also proposes a new international institution for verifying emissions, referred to as the carbon exchange authority. the authority is described as playing a key coordinating role by managing all aspects of the carbon currency, in collaboration with the world’s central banks. the central banks will underwrite the value of the currency via a public finance guarantee – to insure participants of its economic value in the global market. between the carbon exchange authority and central banks, the authors of the gcr policy insist that the new currency will not create any direct costs for citizens, businesses, or governments – as it will be debt-free. 

concerns of efficacy are common among carbon reduction plans. carbon offset programs are rife with greenwashing and recent literature demonstrates that often offset credits do not actually represent carbon reductions. to address these challenges, the gcr policy team aims to demystify carbon misinformation and serve as a role model for transparent and ethical emission monitoring. recipients of the reward must agree and abide by long-term mitigation reporting, to ensure true carbon reduction. 

importantly, authors of the policy wish to create a global scenario in which the most polluting industries – those critical to achieving global net-zero on time – are incentivized to decarbonize now. 

by incentivizing industries who pollute the most, such as the agricultural sector, the policy aims to decarbonize all major offenders without compromising their profits. as an example, if a farm were to transition from fossil fuels to on-farm renewable energy, this switch would be rewarded under the gcr policy, potentially both covering the costs of the transition and generating extra revenue for the farm.  

decarbonization will require unprecedented cooperation across all levels of society. this new proposal indicates that the future of innovative climate schemes is forthcoming – some of which are likely to provide scalable solutions for our catastrophic carbon challenges. however, one policy alone will not solve the climate crisis. 

evidently, we need more policies like the global carbon reward: ones that  provide innovative roadmaps for rapid decarbonization—without coming at the expense of low-income countries. 

what to read more about the global carbon reward policy? click here to download. 

i was given the opportunity to travel on board the national geographic endeavour ii with lindblad expeditions when i won planet forward’s storyfest prize in 2020. and as the date of the voyage grew closer (delayed somewhat due to covid), i began to research potential topics that i could report on while in the archipelago. one area of interest that struck me was understanding how conservation efforts in the galápagos empowered local populations.

in school, many of us learn how the geographic isolation of these islands lead to its incredible array of endemic species. we learn about darwin’s great voyage, about his theory of evolution that shaped modern day science. but what many of us don’t learn about is that four of these islands are not only home to finches and frigates, but also populated by humans—about 30,000 individuals in fact.

navigating the fine line between environmental protection and human development is by no means easy. life as a galápaganian is especially restrictive coming from a western point of view; buying a new car—or even driving a personal car in the galápagos—for example, is virtually impossible. since 97% of the islands are protected and restricted, except for those visiting through a tourism agency, many locals don’t get to experience the isolated wilderness that foreigners see upon visiting. in fact, if locals wish to the remaining 97% of the islands — the protected and uninhabited islands — they must also go through a tourism agency. in the galapagos, one cannot visit national park territory without being part of a licensed tourism operation with a licensed naturalist. experiences like these, like on a cruise, cost a minimum of thousands of dollars, preventing so many locals from ever having this opportunity.

bolstering local communities and empowering the next generation are imperatives for long-term sustainable conservation. if people who live in the galápagos are not provided adequate opportunities to visit, explore, and learn about the importance of the islands, there is far less of an incentive to love, and thus conserve them.

i was pleased to learn that as part of their mission to use the power of travel for positive change, lindblad expeditions has raised more than $19 million for conservation, scientific research, and local communities. lindblad is also a 100% carbon neutral company. in the galápagos specifically, from 2019 to 2020 lindblad funded grants for four different conservation organizations, focusing specifically on education, research, technology, and storytelling.

additionally, since 1999 lindblad has participated in a galápagos national park program called explora galápagos, in which tourism companies partner with the program to bring local teachers, farmers, students, and other community members out to explore their home islands’ wild and remote sites. the program’s goal is simple: to educate about the unique archipelago and all it beholds, and to inspire stewardship of the islands.

i was curious to learn about exactly how participating in a lindblad expedition reflects onto local populations, and exactly what areas of conservation are a priority.

on board the 96-guest equipped national geographic endeavour ii, i met adrián vasquez, who works as a video chronicler, documenting our expedition. adrián grew up on the island of san cristobal, and previously worked as a ministerial communications and video production advisor for the government council of galápagos, which focuses on improving social problems in the archipelago. 

“lindblad in the past had only international video chroniclers, but now they only have local video chroniclers. that is very important,” adrián said. “it shows that the local people are very important for the islands.”

in december 2020, lindblad in conjunction with island conservation, an international nonprofit conservation organization, launched the galapagos island relief fund, a program providing financial relief for galápaganians impacted by the pandemic. sven lindblad, the founder and ceo of lindblad expeditions, explained when the program was announced, “stimulating the local economy through community micro-loans has the power to activate a thriving system—helping entrepreneurs and small business owners develop new ideas to complement sustainable tourism and meeting the needs of the local community long after the pandemic is over.”

i am emboldened by the mission of lindblad expeditions, after seeing firsthand the commitment of their team to work toward ecofriendly tourism solutions, rather simply aiming for profit, like many other enterprises. and i’m hopeful that the next generation of naturalists, photographers, and educators have been inspired by their experience among the wilds of galápagos as much as i was.

while the perils of plastic pollution in our oceans and landfills are well-known, obstetricians have recently discovered a startling new development—the first evidence of microplastics have been found in human placentas.

the destructive nature of microplastics is no longer confined to ecological consequences; it permeates human health too.

the effects of plastic consumption remain poorly understood, as research is still in its infancy. however, early literature suggests several reasons for concern.  

synthetic microfibers, such as those from clothing, make up 14% of all global plastic production, according to a global study conducted in 2020. these fibers are especially harmful given the ease at which they break into smaller pieces—fragments so small, that they can be inhaled. the study suggests that inhalation of microfibers can cause localized toxicity in the body—thereby inducing or enhancing an immune response. chronic exposure to these fibers are anticipated to have the worst effects, given that the accumulation of chemicals such as bpa in the body have been shown to depress the immune system, trigger cancerous growths, prompt neurotoxicity, and disrupt the microbiome in the gut.

another emerging area of research on microplastics concerns the gut microbiome. the gut microbiome refers to all the microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract; it’s essential for the function of mammals.

preliminary findings show that when microplastics interact with gastrointestinal microorganisms, it can increase the phagocytic activity of immune cells, impacting metabolism, immune function, and behavior.

worse still, nano plastics, the smallest of plastic particles, are small enough to pass through intestinal barriers, just like placental barriers. last year a study on nano plastics demonstrated they can cross the blood-brain barrier, causing brain damage in fish. 

the uncontained spread of plastics in our environment leaves everyone vulnerable. microplastics are now entering the terrestrial food web at alarming rates. particles in soil can be ingested at multiple stages of the food chain. scientists recently observed nano plastic transfer from soil to chickens via earthworms, raising concerns for human consumption. 

the microscopic size of these pollutants allows them to travel enormous distances. in a single day, some particles can travel up to 95km (59 miles). plastic will soon be on every inch of our planet; in fact, some were just found on the glaciers of the tibetan plateau.

even in remote locations, levels of microplastics are plentiful. in the french pyrenees mountains, microplastic fragments, fibers, and films were found at relatively high levels, despite the area being sparsely populated, and far from any industrial, commercial, or large agricultural activities.

in confronting the pervasive and universal threat of microplastics, our collective responsibility becomes increasingly evident. plastic is no longer just a marine issue; it has become a global challenge.

as we navigate the delicate implications of curbing plastic production, the role of the private sector will be a pivotal force in shaping the collective response. the symbiotic relationship between plastic production and cheap fossil fuel feedstock demands international intervention and a recalibration of industrial practices. 

as individuals, we can wield collective power by pressuring our policymakers to enforce industry change. today, sadly, industry change is the most effective way forward. because it doesn’t matter how many times i remember my reusable bags if the producers aren’t incentivized to ditch the plastic wrap covering every item i buy. 

as new research continues to demonstrate the detriments of plastics, it is only a matter of time before the evidence overwhelms policymakers to take action. 

navigating the anthropocene epoch is no easy task. perhaps plastics in our placentas will be just enough to move the needle this time around.

—

cate twining-ward is a senior correspondent at planet forward, a grand-prize winner of storyfest 2020, and a student at the george washington university.

while my passion for the environment and for sustainability haven’t wavered, it would be naïve to neglect the fact that my philosophical understanding of environmental ethics has taken a new form. comprehending the pandemic and the actions necessary to mitigate it has forced me to reevaluate my ethical priorities. and along the way, i have had to adjust my own principles of living for the betterment of society.

let me explain.

after almost four months in strict lockdown in the heart of new york city, i decided to take advantage of my danish citizenship and spend my fall semester in denmark. the covid situation and restrictions there were very different over the summer months, having much to do with earlier shutdowns and the rapid testing that occurred faster than what we experienced in the united states. but unfortunately, denmark, and copenhagen in particular, experienced a harsh second wave of the virus as it approached the winter months.

the months in lockdown in new york, as well as living through a steady rise in danish cases shortly after, once again made me feel helpless. it’s difficult to appreciate all that is being done to tackle the virus when you simultaneously feel so removed from the progress.

but then, somehow, i managed to get involved.

through a few coincidental mutual friends and a fervent urge to do my part, i landed a job with a private company that provides rapid covid testing for patients. and suddenly, there i was, on “the front lines.” every positive test that i gave meant a complete change of gear: gown, gloves, mask, hairnet, wipe this, wipe that, spray disinfectant everywhere, crack the window, attempt to avoid inhaling all the fumes, wipe that again, and repeat.

the quick tests we give come individually wrapped and require the use of a single-use test tube, a single-use swab, and a single-use test kit—all parts sealed in a plastic sheath for protection. each patient is asked to fill out a paper form before we administer the test, requiring them to allow us to record their data if they do test positive, for governmental records. to get an idea, at the end of an 11-hour shift, i have sometimes filed away over 300 pieces of paper—and that’s just from my one room. we have 17 more rooms just in the mobile clinic that i work at.

if it wasn’t already clear, the amount of waste that accumulates after just a day’s worth of work is nauseating. i’m convinced it would be appalling even to those who aren’t acutely aware of the environmental impacts of single-use plastic. the guilt that hits me as i carry, sometimes up to five, stuffed black trash bags that i’ve filled behind “clinic no. 6” after my shift ends, hasn’t yet subsided.

but—i just cannot feel angry about it in the same way as i normally could. because this waste is a necessity to saving lives.

clearly, i desperately needed to adjust my priorities. it is ridiculous to feel the same level of guilt over the waste that is required for preventing disease transmission as i feel about avoidable day-to-day waste. perhaps if people were more conscious about avoiding waste in other areas of their lives, whether that be in product packaging, disposal items that have reusable alternatives, food waste, single-use plastic, etc., then it would be easier to dissipate the guilt of waste that will help halt the spread of covid.

it is once again extremely difficult to urge people to care about the environment at a time when there are more tangibly terrifying threats to our own species. so many of us have felt the personal ramifications of this pandemic and helping to stop its spread should no doubt be the priority. it would furthermore be impossible to focus on the many environmental challenges if you are burdened with illness yourself.

so, what i am asking for instead, is for us to collectively compromise. in order to test as many people as we can, these rapid test kits are necessary. the inconceivable portion waste that will continue to accumulate to prevent disease transmission therefore must proceed. that calls for everyone else, to once again, do their part. for the waste that can be avoided, twice the effort should be made so that twice as much waste is reduced and recycled. millions of people do have the means to dramatically reduce their footprint, and in this moment in history, they should be doing everything they possibly can. there is simply no excuse.

with everything that has divided us this past year, let us step into 2021 with a collective intention to work together to achieve a world that will benefit us all. if you can do your part to save the planet without any life-threatening risks, then you should do so, it’s a privilege. because people who cannot, are risking their lives in order to save lives.

i consider myself a rather environmentally conscious 20-year-old: i eat plant-based, contemplate my clothing sources, despise single use-plastic, bring reusable bags and bottles—i even tried the whole zero waste thing. despite my efforts, living sustainably as a student in rapidly changing, business-centric cities like new york and washington, d.c., has been more than challenging. 

moving to copenhagen has made me realize that instead of constantly evaluating my personal habits, perhaps i should be more critical of the systems which ultimately shape society’s collective impact because real improvements will only transpire when we collectively take action.  

in 2020 denmark was ranked as the most sustainable country by experts from yale and columbia universities, according to the 2020 environmental performance index (epi). reasons for this high ranking include denmark’s reduction of co2 emission by more than half since 1996, and that 47% of electricity was sourced from wind power in 2019.

furthermore, as identified by the united nations, these high ratings likely correlate to the fact that denmark is a front runner in other aspects of sustainable development. the danish government provides citizens with universal health care and education, there is high gender equality, a generous social safety net, personal freedom, and more.  

these high rankings are also largely thanks to the shared philosophies of sustainability and minimalism which are upheld in the home, and beyond. this collective mindset is often neglected when discussing global sustainability methods, but i believe it should be emphasized. 

to find out more, i decided to talk with other students who have also recently moved here, to see what they’ve noticed living in copenhagen and whether these differences have impacted them too. these conversations have left me with a freshly optimistic outlook on how sustainability within cities can not only improve the health of our planet but also improve people’s mindsets and happiness overall. 

i’ve come to think that perhaps we are looking too far into the unknown for solutions to our biggest climate challenges. rather than waiting around for another ambiguous statement from our world leaders, or some unidentified technological solution, let’s examine the cities who have already implemented tangible and effective sustainable systems into daily life. 

it all started with a mirror. 

this recent incident with my father perfectly illustrates the first major difference i noticed when moving to denmark: the absence of online shopping.

my dad needed to acquire a full-length mirror. after days of careful window shopping around town, he finally picked one out online and reserved it for same-day pickup. as my dad insisted that everything was transportable via the holy bike lane, he and i cycled out to the store and purchased the mirror. realizing that it was indeed far too large and heavy to cycle with, even for a full-blooded determined dane like my father, we resorted to balancing the mirror on one of the bike pedals and walking it all the way home, fighting the wind as we went. yes, this entire fiasco could have (and would have) been avoided in new york city with the ease of a click on amazon prime. but, this would have also come with an environmental cost, going against danish values of minimalism—as well as the notion that everything is possible on a bicycle.

it feels strange that purchases do not involve the corporate monstrosity that everyone in the united states hates and loves all at the same time: amazon. online shopping here is virtually unheard of. 

some people may do it occasionally, but the presence of amazon and its associated delivery services are nothing like what i am used to. another university student who moved to copenhagen from london six weeks ago, calum kendal, 21, has noticed stark differences in online shopping here too. 

“if you want to use amazon you have to go through the u.k. or germany, so it’s much less accessible, certainly to me,” he said. 

furthermore, things you would normally order online are often accessible in shops only a bike ride away.

when calum searches for items online, he’s found that they are available within biking distance of his apartment. this allows him to pick goods up conveniently and sustainably, rather than having them delivered via amazon as he did in london. 

minji suh, a 22-year-old from montreal, canada, who moved to copenhagen in january, says she noticed the collective support for local products and an emphasis on minimalism right away. 

“people are willing to pay a little more because they want to support their community,” she said. 

overall, minji feels that in copenhagen the mindset of having and spending less is celebrated, so that when you do purchase an item, it is one of high quality and necessity. 

minji is passionate about sustainable fashion, incorporating predominantly second-hand and homemade clothing into her wardrobe. she explained to me how the attitude around clothing in denmark has inspired her to think more consciously, and creatively, about her clothing purchases.

“a lot of danish people i’ve met have this very minimalist mindset, where it’s not about having as much or showing off, but it’s about being comfortable and presentable,” minji said.

minji explained to me that the societal differences of life in copenhagen versus in north america contributed to the amount of clothing she felt was needed to fit in.

“back home i lived such a fast-paced life, it felt like i had to have a big wardrobe, with lots of different options, to fit all my parts. so, unfortunately, as a student you gravitate to fast fashion,” she said.

“there is also more pressure to assert your personality through clothing in the states,” minji continued. “but coming here, and seeing people be so mindful about how they dress and how they consume, made me think that i don’t actually need to buy all these things so quickly. i know now that i can live a happy life just having a select amount of clothes.”

this shift towards minimal, yet quality items did not just manifest in her clothing choices, either.

“it translated into other things too, like me wanting to own a nice set of kitchenware” she said. 

i too, have recognized this emphasis on owning quality material things, and its effect on me has certainly been positive. danish design is popular all over the world for its simplicity, durability, and usefulness. minji therefore justifies purchasing a few expensive items that will last her years.

“i know that if i take care of it, it will last me way longer than scrappy ikea stuff. already i see the changes it has had on me.”

another friend of mine, christina hermanson, 19, who is originally from samoa, has been living in copenhagen for the past two years. 

“we have four trash cans,” she begins. “there’s one for trash, the second is divided into two—half for hard plastic, half for aluminum— then there’s the biodegradable bin, and the last bin goes to cardboard boxes.” 

when christina was living in samoa and new zealand, she only had two: one for trash and one for compost.

“if you had a compost bin in new zealand people would comment and say, like, ‘oh you really are one of those people, so environmentally friendly,’” she said.

the miniature size of trash bags in copenhagen also took me (pleasantly) by surprise. forget your mammoth 13-gallon glad bags; here, the average trash bag is barely bigger than a supermarket plastic bag. this subtle difference makes so much sense. not only does a smaller size insinuate less waste, but people are no doubt more conscious with their waste, having to maximize the space in their trash cans. on my second day in copenhagen, my dad was quick to criticize me for “wastefully” throwing out my trash.

“you need to fold it really small, otherwise it takes up too much space in the bin,” he said. 

the differences in trash disposal goes beyond the physical act of sorting, however. there is an additional shift in people’s attitude toward trash too—that we have a collective responsibility to do our part. if you fall short, you feel poorly, because everyone else is doing it.

 “there is more shame in not properly throwing trash away here. and it’s just normal—you don’t even question it,” christina said. 

i do feel my actions subtly changing because of this collective attitude of responsibility. i would never, ever, spit my gum out on the street here, for example. whereas in new york city, or d.c., i probably would without guilt, simply because it is so normalized. 

christina could relate to this feeling, too.

“i actually just experienced that last week,” she said. “i had a half a drink left and i threw it in the trash can and my danish friend was like, ‘why didn’t you just leave it on the bench? someone would have just come along to recycle it for pant.’” 

it is evident that every individual in copenhagen holds great responsibility for their personal environmental footprint, and also, that people feel as though they have a joint responsibility to contribute to larger sustainability measures, such as the recycling system. 

christina works in a sushi restaurant, and notices how even people who aren’t dining come in to ask for a tray to properly dispose of their cigarettes. 

“it’s also a standard thing with cigarette butts,” she said. “in other cities i’ve been you just leave them about, but here, even working in a restaurant, people come in to ask for a cigarette tray.”

the ‘pant’ recycling system, which successfully recycles over 50 million bottles and cans every year, is another widespread eco-friendly approach found in denmark. this was the first noticeable difference that came to calum’s mind when i picked his brain about sustainability in copenhagen. 

the system is based on a small deposit being paid on every bottle when it’s purchased, which you then get back when you return the bottle to a ‘pant’ machine, which are located at most supermarkets. danes return an average of 3.8 million bottles and cans daily. 

something else slightly different about living in copenhagen is the way natural light is used as a replacement to electricity. alex groth, 22, has lived in copenhagen for six months since graduating from university college london. one difference we can both agree on is the sparing use of bright lights in homes. instead, people rely on sunlight and candles.

“the architecture here is a lot more about having natural light—we barely have lights on in the summer because it’s just so bright,” he said.

in contrast to the 24/7 fluorescently lit cities of new york and london, danes often disregards the use of lights completely. 

“half the time when i come home at night, my house is only lit with candles,” he said. 

maybe it was because i grew up mostly in big, bright cities that made this shift especially obvious to me. the popularity of adjustable lights was a subtle way i observed that likely contributes to the fact the danes consume far less energy per person when compared to the other nordic countries (sweden, norway, iceland, and finland). this practice holds true even during the winter months, and when it is dark at night, according to alex. 

 “most houses i know use adjustable lighting, and even at night we never put it up all the way,” he said. 

a contributing factor to utilizing natural light whenever possible is that the price of electricity in denmark, as of march 2020, was the third-highest in the world. to avoid staggering prices, many households adopt led lights, which are up to 80% more energy-efficient, too.

all this is not to say that denmark is perfect, and that american ways of living and consumption are inherently bad. only that in many cases, we can do better, and we should be trying harder to. as i discussed with minji, it’s difficult to directly compare the sustainability practices of two vastly different places.

while the wealth of denmark certainly aids in its ability to run these operations smoothly, the sustainable lifestyle is one that’s firmly chosen by the individuals and local communities. alex, who has grown up with family in denmark, tells me how local communities in denmark have far more influence over people’s actions than the government. at the end of the day, it really comes down to the decisions of individual families, neighborhoods, and communities. this gives me hope that with a shift in mindset and responsibility, these kinds of changes are possible elsewhere, too.

the key to creating sustainable cities isn’t extreme—we don’t all need to go zero-waste. as young and adaptable people, we can set an example through subtle and collective changes. if we all take the time to sort our trash, recycle our bottles, if we chose to dim our lights and only purchase long-lasting items when necessary, we will mutually reap the benefits.

the understanding that the covid-19 pandemic originated from wildlife has heightened our awareness of just how closely all of our lives, regardless of where we live, are connected to nature. the pandemic has also resulted in unprecedented challenges related to protecting wildlife—and in uganda, these challenges are especially poignant.

as of august 2020, over 20 million people globally have been infected by covid-19, a virus originating from wildlife from china. with covid-19 at the forefront of our minds, it is easy to forget that the last large-scale pandemic, aids, originated from primates in west africa. globally, hiv/aids has infected more than 76 million people and has claimed 33 million lives. likewise, the 1918 influenza, with initial cases originating from birds in kansas, killed up to 50 million people.

it is about time we recognize that covid-19 is not the first devastating pandemic to have originated from wildlife, nor will it be the last. to prevent or at least forestall the next pandemic, there is an urgent need to transform the ways in which we interact with nature. if we want to avert future crises, we clearly have an obligation to examine and prevent the practices that promote close contact between humans and wildlife, particularly bushmeat hunting and deforestation. this is even more essential in the tropics, where species richness is exceptionally high, and therefore the number of viruses that could potentially be transferred between humans and wildlife is correspondingly high.

in 2015, less than half of the world’s tropical forests remained and in the span of 12 years from 2000 and 2012, 2.3 million km2 of forest was lost globally. to put this in perspective, in 12 years, a forested area larger than the size of alaska was lost. deforestation has been driven by explosive human population growth, high local and global consumption rates, and corporate and individual greed, but is now being exacerbated by the coronavirus and its associated health and safety protocols.

yet, ironically, while most people agree that deforestation and bushmeat hunting practices must be dramatically reduced, the very agencies that are set up to conserve forests and wildlands are financially drained as a result of the cascading impacts of covid-19.

for many countries, there is simply no replacement for the money that tourism normally provides to run protected areas. now, because of nation-wide shutdowns and lack of tourism, those who are most capable of protecting nature, are incapable of doing so. rangers may soon be asked to work without pay to limit hunting in protected parks. furthermore, the wildlife they are protecting could harbor the virus that would start the next pandemic.

uganda provides a clear example of how covid-19 is creating conditions that could trigger the emergence of the next global pandemic. the current pandemic has devastated tourism in uganda, a sector of the economy that is closely tied to many of the country’s conservation efforts. the impact of the pandemic is evident when considering the thousands of lost jobs, lost revenues, and lost contributions to the gdp of uganda, all of which have negative implications for conservation.

covid-19 has already resulted in a $1.6 billion loss to the ugandan tourism industry. considering only hotel staff, 8,636 people have been laid off. these workers earn a total of 29.3 million usd and represent the only income for countless households. for uganda, investing in preventative measures to reduce deforestation and bushmeat hunting is a small price to pay relative to the crucial gains uganda accrues from the benefits from the tourism industry.

michael keigwin, the founder of the uganda conservation foundation, fears that without income for those who monitor protected areas, the parks in uganda will be unable to maintain prior protective measures. there is no alternative to these industries—tourism propels conservation because it allows for rangers and tour guides to rigorously monitor illegal activities while also providing an incentive for locals to protect critical areas.

for conservation to work, keigwin says, there must be a strong backbone of law enforcement as well as tourism.

“we are defending (parks) as well as we can,” he said.

but, these are difficult times for uganda. on top of being “grossly under-resourced,” according to keigwin, poachers and bushmeat hunters are taking advantage of the country’s lockdown protocols which began in stages throughout march, culminating in a total lockdown on april 1st. the lockdown restrictions included a nationwide curfew, suspension of public transport and non-food markets, mandatory quarantine for travelers, closure of schools, and cancellation of all public gatherings, among other precautions.

local criminal gangs know that the vulnerable areas that inhabit high market value animals are no longer under the same protection, making illegal activities more enticing.

furthermore, uncertainty about the health effects of the virus, as well as lack of access to hospitals due to the nation-wide shutdown, has created a more appealing market for traditional medicines, according to keigwin.

“we are losing lions,” he said sorrowfully as he explained that “people are taking advantage of the lockdowns and curfews.”

witch doctors are opening their doors to new customers, increasing demand for wild animal products, such as lion paw.

“people are vulnerable and they will give it a go,” said keigwin.

according to him, these practices, “will have an adverse effect on the park, and on tourism, forever.”

dr. patrick omeja is a conservation scientist with over 20 years of experience working in kibale national park, one of uganda’s forested biodiversity hotspots. he fears that bushmeat hunting will only increase during these times—despite the fact that coronavirus originated from wildlife. he reports that locals are generally not aware of the strong link between the risk of pandemics and wildmeat; in fact, many believe that wild meat is safer than alternatives such as cattle.

“they feel wild meat is safer [than beef] because of the chemicals,” dr. omeja said.

due to the scarcity of park rangers, bushmeat hunters are taking advantage of the opportunity to hunt both high-value animals and more common animals for food, such as the small local deer – duiker. while the latter does not pose immediate conservation concerns, oftentimes the strategy of tracking and catching these animals do. hunters will often follow a group of primates, namely mountain gorillas in this region, as they attract other animals that the hunters are interested in.

dr. omeja recalls a recent situation in which a hunter was using this method and spooked the dominant silverback gorilla of the group. he wasn’t trying to hunt the gorilla, rather he was following it in the hopes of catching other animals in the bush. but, when the gorilla became alarmed, the hunter, fearing for his life, speared the gorilla in the stomach, killing it. sadly, silverbacks are the leaders of mountain gorilla groups, and it is likely that without the dominant male, the group will spilt and the infants will die.

a community conservation warden of the ugandan wildlife authority, wilson kagoro, works with the communities bordering parks to promote conservation. he told us that the local communities very much believe that covid-19 was “brought by scientists, and not from wild animals like ebola was.”

he also said that while some people are being sensitized about the origins of the pandemic by radios and television, many are not afraid of consuming game meat but enthusiastic about eating it due to lack of protein in their diet. unfortunately, those living nearest to the park are the most vulnerable to potential diseases transmitted from the bushmeat, because they cannot afford to buy meat in the butcheries like the rich do, according to dr. omeja.

one potential silver lining that dr. omeja mentions is that once tourists return they will be more likely to keep their distance from gorillas and chimpanzees, something that has been difficult to enforce in the past.

“people used to try to take selfies and really close photographs with the animals,” he said.

due to these new nation-wide rules, management will have no choice but to enforce masks and take guests’ temperatures before they enter to see the gorillas or chimpanzees.

dr. brenda boonabaana, a lecturer and researcher in the departments of forestry, biodiversity, and tourism at the makerere university in uganda believes that the negative economic impact of covid-19 on key tourism facilities and its employees will be immense, requiring a long time to recover.

“the income for most businesses has slumped down, and most workers have either lost their jobs or are at home waiting for an unknown period of time,” she said.

this has left many without access to basic needs.

“recovery will be certain, but slow,” boonabaana said. “it will demand a combined effort by the government, private sector, and global partners and players.”

the situation in uganda is one example of what is happening in many regions across the tropics. the trajectory is certainty bleak—which is why conservation agencies and associated law enforcement and tourism sectors need financial support now more than ever. with the sharp decline in tourism and the revenue it generates for local communities, it is likely that the effects of the coronavirus will have an impact far beyond 2020.

from all that i’ve learned stringing together this story, what stands out is how frighteningly obvious it is that conservation largely relies on tourism: an industry that has been devastated by covid-19. however, we also cannot forget the resilience of nature, and the resilience of human beings to adapt and develop to mitigate future challenges. some essential solutions with which i believe hold great potential in uganda include:

1. providing increased financial support to the tourism sector, specifically to the uganda wildlife authority so that they may continue their conservation activities.
2. developing and implementing a domestic tourism marketing strategy, as it would likely recover faster than the international market in the event of another pandemic.
3. developing stronger branding for uganda as a tourism destination, giving the country a unique identity.
4. developing a comprehensive tourism recovery plan to avoid the devastating effects of future pandemics.

humanity’s close connection to nature is undisputed. we can no longer afford to pillage our wildlife—the price is far too high. there are steps that can be taken now: to address both the shock waves as they unfold and to speed up recovery and sector resilience for the future.

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about the authors:

colin chapman, ph.d., has worked in the tropics on conservation issues for almost 40 years. he has published over 500 scientific papers, developed new conservation strategies for uganda, and pioneered efforts to create a union between health care and conservation; the latter resulted in him being given a humanitarian award. he is an adjunct professor in the george washington university department of anthropology.

cate twining-ward is a senior correspondent at planet forward, a grand-prize winner of storyfest 2020, and a student at the george washington university.

however, amidst this fervor, the ongoing and destructive trade of wildlife by bushmeat hunters in rural communities across asia, africa, and south america persists. this fact has not been addressed by the international community—an oversight that could have grave consequences for preventing future pandemics.

pressuring governments to issue bans and closures of wet markets holds real value for preventing the emergence of infectious disease. however, it falls short of addressing the root issue: the pervasive circulation of bushmeat within communities. the demand for wildlife will persist even if wet markets close, as bushmeat holds immense cultural, medicinal, and spiritual value for many communities around the world. 

wildlife conservationist dr. colin a. chapman has spent 30 years studying the effects of disease, nutrition, stress, and climate change on biodiversity and primate abundance in east africa. he believes that we must shift the approach away from the narrow perspective of wet markets. instead, he suggests adopting a comprehensive understanding that considers local bushmeat hunting and the social constructs sustaining these practices.

controlling the informal trade of bushmeat will be a challenge in low-income communities. in many african countries, the communities adjacent to national parks are the most economically deprived. illegal hunting and the trade of bushmeat provides people with a quick cash income for which there are few alternatives. closing or banning markets entirely will likely make hunters and their families less-well off, and does not provide market sellers or hunters with alternative jobs and means of income.

one option to reduce reliance on bushmeat for food is the expansion and diversification of agricultural products. providing drought resistant seeds, fertilizers, and crops high in value, as well as supplemental nutrition, may help encourage more farming over hunting. the african wildlife foundation’s “congo shipping project” is an example of a successful scheme that provided transportation of additional crops to markets, encouraging the distribution of crops over bushmeat.

at the same time, scientists from the max planck institute for evolutionary anthropology have demonstrated the importance of site-specific education, particularly on the disease risk and environmental impacts of bushmeat hunting. an understanding that bushmeat leads to pandemics and the extinction of valued species will equip the next generation with knowledge that will incentivize sustainable practices throughout their lifetimes. 

educational programs are not only relevant in schools, but also in local community organizations, churches, and among decision makers. these programs must be based on careful science and mustn’t overlook the inherent cultural value that bushmeat represents for many populations.

a report by the convention of biological diversity (cbd) and the convention on international trade in endangered species (cites) emphasize that solutions for reducing the risks associated with the trade will require coordinated efforts. specifically, close monitoring schemes alongside legislation and enforcement were highly recommended. 

these interventions are undeniably expensive and require site-specific planning and implementation. in africa, conservation efforts are supported heavily by the tourism industry. since the pandemic, biodiversity and wildlife conservation has been left highly vulnerable to human threats—resulting in elevated poaching, habitat destruction, and loss of biodiversity.

even without the added vulnerability of the pandemic, rates of bushmeat extraction is staggering. studies in the congo basin estimate that each year approximately four million metric tons of bushmeat are extracted, the equivalent of four and a half million cows. 

even endangered chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, are being hunted. in the northeastern regions of the democratic republic of congo, it was estimated that up to 7% of the chimpanzee population is killed each year for bushmeat.

such hunting rates are unsustainable and have already resulted in the eradication of entire populations. in the last 40 years alone, 12 large vertebrate populations have been extirpated in vietnam and over longer timescales, human hunting has been responsible for the extinction of much of the unique megafauna of madagascar. 

the coronavirus has created an atmosphere of uncertainty, scarcity and mass panic. demands for banning the wildlife trade are intensifying. 

in the past, such bans were self-defeating. in china, three legislative attempts on banning bushmeat have failed , in 2004, 2016, and 2020. banning wildlife hunting or consumption entirely amidst unaddressed social norms will only heighten the unregulated trade of bushmeat, elevate organized crime, and create the impression of a shortage, likely increasing the prices and incentives to poach.

the current atmosphere of uncertainty created by the coronavirus presents an opportunity for targeted, site-specific solutions, says dr. colin a. chapman. 

leveraging the current crisis to implement tailored solutions—alternative livelihoods, diversified crops, educational programs, and heightened regulations—will more effectively curb the bushmeat trade and mitigate the risk of future pandemics. in doing so, conservationists hope we can create a win-win scenario whereby both wildlife hunting decreases and hunters have viable alternatives, reducing the threat of another global pandemic.

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about the author:

cate twining-ward is a correspondent alumnus of planet forward, grand-prize winner of storyfest 2020, and graduate of the george washington university.

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citations:

bennett, e. l. 2002. is there a link between wild meat and food security? conservation biology 16:590-592.

bennett, e. l., and m. rao. 2002. wild meat consumption in asian tropical forest countries: is this a glimpse of the future for africa. pages 39-44 in s. mainka and m. trivedi, editors. links between biodiversity, conservation, livelihoods and food security: the sustainable use of wild species for meat. iucn, cambridge.

challender et al, april 8, 2020. coronavirus: why a blanket ban on wildlife trade would not be the right response, the conversation us.

crowley, b. e. 2010. a refined chronology of prehistoric madagascar and the demise of the megafauna. quaternary science reviews 29:2591-2603.

fa, j. e., and d. brown. 2009. impacts of hunting on mammals in african tropical moist forests: a review and synthesis. mammal review 39:231-264.

fa, j. e., c. a. peres, and j. meeuwig. 2002. bushmeat exploitation in tropical forests: an intercontinental comparison. conservation biology 16:232-237.

kano, t., and r. asato. 1994. “hunting pressure on chimpanzees and gorillas in the mataba river area of northeastern congo.” african study monographs 15.

milner-gullard, e. j., e. l. bennett, and sccb. 2003. wild meat: the bigger picture. trends in ecology & evolution 18:351-357.

roth, annie, april 8, 2020. poachers kill more rhinos as coronavirus halts tourism to africa. the new york times

walsh, p. d., et al, 2003. catastrophic ape decline in western equatorial africa. nature 422:611-614.

wilkie ds. 2000. roads, development, and conservation in the congo basin. conservation biology 14:1614-1622.

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this story also is published on mongabay.

hanging like “shimmering dark clouds on the horizon,” these catastrophic swarms can reach the size of moscow, eating and destroying everything in sight. the locusts are a product of extreme weather swings, and pose deadly consequences for the people who rely on the crops they feed on. their rapidly increasing numbers are likely to present “an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods in the horn of africa,” as illustrated by the u.n. food and agriculture organization on jan. 29. 

kenya hasn’t had a locust outbreak to this magnitude in 70 years, and it is the worst that somalia and ethiopia have seen in 25 years. a typical desert locust swarm contains 150 million locusts per square kilometer, which is hard to imagine, but on average can destroy enough crops in one day that would have fed 2,500 people. 

what are the regional implications? 

the impacts of these swarms are immense, but also vary greatly depending on the region. the regions currently affected by the outbreak stretch across the horn of africa, so far reaching ethiopia, somalia, and northeast kenya. some say that the locusts have traveled from as far as yemen. however, if favorable breeding conditions persist, the u.n. fears these swarms could reach over 30 additional countries in africa and asia. south sudan and uganda are already bracing for their arrival, as predictions show that “current numbers could grow 500 times by june.”

unsurprisingly, scientists have declared a clear culprit: climate change. nairobi-based climate scientist abubakr salih babiker stated that 2019 was one of the wettest years on record due to rapidly increasing water temperatures in the indian ocean. warmer ocean temperatures furthermore caused an unusually high number of tropical cyclones off of africa, providing the perfect conditions for locust breeding. 

tom twining-ward, a senior technical advisor for the united nations development program with expertise in climate change adaptation (and, full disclosure, the author’s father), said “historically, the most important natural factor controlling populations of locusts is the weather,” and that “the current invasion in east africa is no doubt intensified by climatic changes that are neither caused nor fully understood by the local farmers.”

another challenge is that the only effective method to battle the insects is by the aerial spraying of pesticides, which is not only very expensive, but difficult to implement in many regions due to military presence. it’s also dangerous: for livestock, farmers, and the environment alike. 

so what should be done? a previous outbreak from 2003 to 2005 in northern africa cost more than $500 million to control and more than $2.5 billion in harvest losses. are big organizations and donors willing to step up and fund these efforts? 

twining-ward also highlighted that “while the focus in the medium- to long-term should be on coping measures and adaptation to climate change, there is an urgent need for donors to address the significant drop in agricultural output in the region, and provide the necessary resources to address food shortages and hunger in the affected countries.”

unfortunately most media coverage of the swarms are focusing predominantly on the disastrous effects and implications of the swarms, rather than proposing realistic solutions for controlling them.

a call for action, not a plea for help

the urgency of the situation has not been talked about nearly enough. now that the u.n. has shared its serious concerns, and somalia has declared a national emergency, news media is beginning to give the story a bit more attention, but not enough to reflect that this may very well affect millions of people. photographs have been an effective way to give people abroad some perspective. pictures and videos show hundreds of millions of locusts’ darkening horizons for miles, forming dense, ravenous, clouds. 

but, as with what has been written in the articles themselves, the pictures in the media portray reoccurring themes of devastation and helplessness: crops wilted, farmers in distress banging on metal pots and pans while whistling, using whatever means they have to scare away the locusts. 

as a concerned environmentalist and humanist, the lack of action and attention to combat this crisis is even more disappointing, especially when recalling the media attention and public outcry in response to the shocking australian wildfires. the comparison between coverage, and lack thereof, between the two emergencies is tragic, especially considering the impactful role that the media has in helping create action and awareness —  information that could benefit the countries in need.

i can’t help blaming the tendencies of certain media to make untrue generalizations and to portray africans as helpless or as careless perpetrators of an environmental crisis, while negating the relevant historical factors that have contributed to the environmental vulnerability of many africans. 

one aspect of the stories told about african countries — particularly the environmental ones — that i think often goes undiscussed, is that much of this vulnerability is in fact due to legacies left behind by colonial development policies. let us remember that all countries south of the sahara, excluding liberia, have at some point been under european colonial rule, and these structures significantly contributed to the uneven development felt in regions today. african countries dominated by colonial rule were impacted by policies that often promoted unsuitable and environmentally damaging agricultural systems, polluted industrial sectors, furthered inadequate workers rights, disrupted ecosystems and communities with big infrastructure projects, created violent arguments over land dispossession, and so on. 

exasperation steadily accumulated the more that i investigated this story, reading articles scattered with fragments of outdated stereotypes and tropes, but lacking in relevant historical factors that inevitably impact the severity of the locust outbreak. it is unfair not to consider the geographical, geopolitical, and historical ramifications that have shaped, and that will continue to shape, the way these events unfold. 

i sincerely hope that somehow perceptions sculpted by the mainstream media will begin to fade, as people rely more heavily on local and regional news sources. it is our own duty as consumers of media to expect stories that tell the whole story, and to call out discrepancies when we see them. we should expect equal coverage of stories that tell both the triumphs and tragedies. i hope that the tendencies to depict environmental disasters in vulnerable regions will shift from focusing solely on the crisis and its negative consequences, to more on the solutions that can be implemented to mitigate them.

technology isn’t perfect. nevertheless, it is undoubtedly one of our most powerful tools for creating innovative solutions to address the problems we have created. recently, technology has created a number of user-friendly ways to materialize eco-friendly concepts. by simply choosing to integrate some of these solutions in your own life, you too can help spread solution-orientated social norms, without much physical effort at all. 

not only do these following solutions help reduce your carbon footprint, but they also promote a culture of convenient climate-friendly behaviors and consciousness among your fellow peers. these solutions help people to visualize their own progress as well, showing us the ways in which we are improving— uplifting our spirits in a time when it’s needed most.

1. ecosia

the first accessible and eco-friendly solution for creating a greener planet is ecosia: a search engine that magically transforms the revenue from advertisements in your search results into planted trees. ecosia does this by donating more than 80% of its profits to nonprofit organizations which then carry out reforestation projects. 

the idea of planting trees has understandably been long popular. not only do trees effectively absorb the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but they also (theoretically) help to alleviate poverty by providing food and income in areas lacking resources. the german company plants its trees through various projects like the eden reforestation project, focusing its work on biodiversity hotspots across 15 different countries. although there has been some skepticism online about the integrity of their claims, ecosia aims to be as transparent as possible, and regularly publishes their tree planting payments and financial reports on their website. you can personally track how many trees you’ve ‘planted’ by watching the number steadily increase on the side of your browser. internet users can quickly download the extension from the chrome web store to set ecosia as their default search engine.

as of august 2019, it is estimated that the company has planted over 70,000,000 trees since their launch in 2014, the equivalent of offsetting the carbon emissions from over 6 million flights from new york to berlin.

2. oroeco

oroeco is both a website and an app that rewards you for taking action to fight climate change. it works by putting a “carbon value” on daily decisions (what you buy, eat, energy consumption, transportation) which are then used to calculate a user’s personal carbon emissions, as well as their monthly carbon footprint. these calculations are made using data from uc berkeley’s coolclimate research group.

most of us are much more motivated by the immediate actions we can take to combat climate change, the ones that have instant rewards. using oroeco, you can have both the satisfaction of taking action and getting rewarded for it. a feature of the app allows you to compete with your facebook friends as well as earn rewards (though virtual and real-life prizes) for reducing your carbon emissions. let’s say your footprint for the month of november is especially high, as you took two flights to go visit your family for thanksgiving break. through the app, you can directly purchase carbon offsets to make up for your emissions!

ian monroe, the founder of oroeco, points out that climate change is a “collective action problem that we all contribute to through our lifestyle choices” and that while governments do play an important role in making our choices cleaner, people also “need incentives in the right places to nudge [them] towards cleaner choices on a daily basis.”

3. bikemap

tired of high gas prices and crowded bus commutes? ever considered investing in a bicycle to get around quickly and healthily? the app bikemap compiles gps and user data to share the best and safest cycling routes all around the world, giving you yet another good reason to hop on your saddle.

bicycles are on the rise, and for good reason! they offer affordable transportation, reduce traffic, and decrease carbon emissions, all while keeping the rider in shape. project drawdown estimates that if bike infrastructure was successfully implemented by 2050, it would result in a reduction of 2.31 gigatons carbon dioxide, and in $400.47 billion net operational savings. we could all use a little more fresh air in our lives, and apps like this one help promote the culture of climate-friendly transportation, which in-turn, coincidentally, makes our air fresher! the safer and easier it is to bike around, the more people will be motivated to do it. through the app you can also connect with other cyclists, potentially helping you expand your community and share routes with other riders and friends. 

4. howgood

howgood is a sustainable food and household product rating company, that aims to increase transparency about where our food comes from. the app shares where grocery store items are grown, the practices that are used to raise animals, if the workers are paid fair wages, and more, ultimately helping customers understand the “real story” behind food labels. the company uses the world’s largest database on sustainable food to generate a ‘sustainability score’ for food products, which users can search up by scanning the barcode of products found in stores.

“we wanted to create a simple tool for consumers to get the information they need on food choice right at the point of purchase,” explains founder alexander gillett.

one of the easiest ways in which individuals can take daily action to reduce their impact on the planet is by changing what they consume in their diets. a plethora of research shows the overwhelming environmental degradation caused by industrialized agriculture, particularly the meat and dairy industries, which is why what we chose to consume is so important. the more informed consumers are about what they buy, the better, as they are more likely to make smarter, more sustainable choices.

5. your social network— like, comment, and share!

when considering all these various technological solutions, its important to evaluate how our own social media networks can also act as a vessel of change. you may not realize it, but just like with every dollar you spend, the things that you post and share on social media have an impact.

i want you to think about how many friends you have on facebook, then combine that number with the followers you have on instagram, twitter, maybe even linkedin. got it? okay. you have the potential to influence each and every one of these people. 

you may think that the actions you make as an individual don’t have an impact, but think about all of the people who are viewing the choices and actions you make online. 45 percent of teenagers are online “almost constantly” receiving high quantities of information about what their friends are up to. studies show that over imitation, the action of copying everything another person does is a universal human trait.

therefore, harnessing the social networks that so many young people have and are influenced by is a great way to promote sustainable alternatives in our day-to-day activities.

an example of a positive way that you can use social media is by tagging and supporting projects such as the lionsshare fund. the lion’s share initiative asks brands who use images of animals in their advertising to donate a portion of their income to conservation projects. the united nations development program then uses that money to protect animals in the wild, preserve habitats, and save species from extinction. and it’s working. the revenue generated from this innovative and partnership orientated idea has already helped decrease elephant poaching in mozambique and safeguard the some of the last sumatran tigers. so next time you see an animal in an advertisement remember to ask the brand if they’re a part of @lionssharefund!

want to increase your positive impact right now? start by sharing this article. with one click, more people like you will be inspired to work in ways that protect our planet.

this piece reflects my desire to savor the world, and to enjoy the profound experiences that make up this unique place. 

in this piece i hope to have captured a glimpse of sierra leone for those who have not been there before. i hope to show how some of the smallest and most simple moments can also be the most beautiful. the rainy season “brings the forest to life,” with unique sights, sounds, and smells. these are some of the things that i saw during july and august of 2019, during my time at tacugama chimpanzee sanctuary, located in the western area forest reserve.  

although there are prominent human and environmental challenges that need to be addressed in sierra leone, this video focuses on the present beauties and successes that also exist. 

i want to add to the expanding collection of stories and experiences that are told about this place, because the media often portrays sierra leone, or “mama salone,” in a light that is not truly reflective of its people and their circumstances. i am beyond grateful to have witnessed the beauty of the people who live here, the beauty of the rainforest, and the beauty of the plant and animal life which inhabit it. this piece is an appreciation and documentation of salone, but, as with many alike, does not encompass the whole story. 

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source: music is copyright-free, courtesy of rage productions on youtube.