The article discusses the contrast between altruistic behaviors seen during the Covid pandemic and the comparatively muted response to the climate crisis. Initially, Covid invoked a sense of responsibility and care for others, driven by urgent perceptions and social support, leading to widespread compliance with health measures. This altruism stemmed from moral reasoning, sensitivity, and an effective state and media response. In contrast, despite the pressing nature of the climate crisis, public engagement remains limited due to its gradual onset, abstract nature, and lack of legal or social frameworks encouraging proactive behavior.
Key differences include the visibility and urgency of the Covid crisis versus the climate crisis’s slower, more abstract development. Media narratives and government actions during Covid supported collective compliance, while similar urgency is lacking for climate action, with governments largely maintaining status quo approaches. The article argues that the climate and ecological crisis exemplifies structural injustice, where everyday actions contribute cumulatively to harm, often affecting marginalized groups disproportionately.
To address climate change effectively, the authors suggest rethinking individual responsibility through political responsibility models that emphasize societal connections. They note that while individual actions matter, systemic change driven by collective advocacy and pressure on powerful entities is essential. The authors also propose that lessons learned from the pandemic—such as solidarity and community support—should inform climate action.
The article concludes with a call to rekindle the spirit of collective action experienced during the pandemic to address the climate crisis, reinforcing the interconnectedness of social justice, environmental protection, and public health.
