Covid-19 and climate change in the times of the Anthropocene
Thomás Heyd
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic has undermined many of our everyday certainties to such an extent that we should expect significant changes in the functioning of our societies from here onward. Increasingly, it is hoped that in this process of transformation the challenges of climate change will be addressed even if, to date, they have been considered with much less urgency than the pandemic. Here it is proposed that, despite certain important differences, the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change both follow a pattern from causal factors to effects that may be typical of the Anthropocene. Given these parallels, it is suggested that, on the basis of the increasing and cumulative impacts of climate change on planetary life conditions, we have as much or more reason to take quick and effective action on this challenge as on the Covid-19 pandemic.