From Covid-19 to Climate Action: Resilience and Sustainability for a Better Future by Elianne van Turennout

About "From Covid-19 to Climate Action: Resilience and Sustainability for a Better Future"

by Elianne van Turennout

About the artwork

During the Covid-19 crisis, we demonstrated that we can adapt and prioritise collective well-being. This lesson is also crucial in the fight against the climate crisis. Despite the growing threat of climate change, making the necessary sweeping changes seems more difficult. Many people perceive climate action as painful, but in the midst of this discomfort lie valuable returns, just like the growth of a plant that requires effort and care.

The pandemic forced us to rethink our lifestyles and embrace more sustainable practices. This demonstrated our resilience and flexibility in times of adversity. However, addressing the climate crisis requires a deeper and long-term commitment. While the effects of a pandemic are immediately felt, the effects of climate change often seem distant and abstract. This makes it easier to underestimate their severity. Yet the consequences are becoming increasingly unmistakable through extreme weather events and environmental degradation.

By acknowledging the discomfort of climate action, we can better understand resistance to change. Just as tending a plant requires effort and patience, addressing the climate crisis requires collective action, sacrifice and investment in a sustainable future. Every action, however small, contributes to the greater good, just as every leaf and bud contributes to the growth of a plant.

So let us acknowledge the discomfort and embrace the promise of growth, renewal and a healthier planet for future generations.