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Covid-19 Has Been Terrible for the Environmental Movement
Littering is back. Single-use plastics are back. Mass transit is out of vogue. And the scientific models were all wrong.
Amid all the heartwarming stories about wild animals adorably reclaiming public spaces previously occupied by throngs of outdoor-loving humans, have been other developments far less welcome to environmentalists.
In all 50 states, people are starting to venture out again. What have we found? Disposable masks, disposable gloves; everywhere. Even in the parking lot of a D.C. MOM’s Organic Market.
MOM’s Organic Market doesn’t even sell bottled water; instead they have a sign that informs you they stopped selling bottled water in 2004 because it’s bad for the planet and shames you for looking for it.
Yet even people concerned enough about the planet, fair trade goods, and conscious enough about their health to shop at MOM’s are throwing their disposal gloves in the parking lot; more afraid of getting germs in their car than the costs of a society that doesn’t properly dispose of its trash.
And speaking of trash, we’re about to start making a whole lot more of it. Restaurants are cautiously opening; armed with long lists of cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing procedures.