Lawrence Torcello and Michael E. Mann wrote an article in Newsweek titled “Seeing the COVID-19 Crisis Is Like Watching a Time Lapse of Climate Change. Will the Right Lessons Be Learned?”
In it they describe how both COVID-19 and climate change are new and different from anything people living today have experienced, but how we have history, science, and philosophy to help us know what to do for each.
Both crises depend on theoretical models to help us anticipate what will happen, and both show that math and science will help us plan for what we need: ventilators and equipment for COVID-19, mitigation and adaption for climate. For both crises, we need actions based on sound science and good information, not opinions and wishful thinking.
Both crises show the need for a well functioning government than helps promote the common welfare. Both crises demonstrate that private enterprise cannot solve all problems and that when diverse groups join together to promote the common good, there is safety for everyone and mutual flourishing.
