We’ve heard the term ‘flattening the curve” so much in the past couple of months, but I don’t think I truly understood what it meant until we were achieving it. Now taking what we’ve learnt from the COVID-19 experiences and applying it to climate projections, we can see there is still a long way to go before we start to flatten the curve for our environment.

It could be something as simple as knowing what is supposed to go into your recycle bins or developing an awareness of those “essentials” you buy from day to day. As we saw from Sally Jensen who is leading the way down in the Glenelg Shire, there are still a lot of people who don’t know how to properly use their waste system, and there are still many inconsistencies in the waste systems from shire to shire in the region.

It has been well reported around the world lately that there has been a real positive impact since we have been under restrictions, rivers flowing clear, city smog lifting, animals thriving. But I guess the big questions will be:

• Are any of these benefits going to be long term?
• Have enough of us learnt from this experience?
• If not, how quickly will it go back to the way it was?

In order to practice this long term positive change, along with most wide-spread adaptation, there are a few things we need to know. 1) Is it proven that it works? 2) Is my attitude that I want to change? 3) Do I have the capacity to make the changes?

A great example of this adaptation that we saw today was outlined by Mark Wootton from Jigsaw farms who proves that changes can be made to commercial farming operations that benefit both the environment and the business.

Only having one or two of these points is not enough, we need all three for the change to happen.

Starting off can be difficult especially when you can not see the bigger picture, and in the short term the impact might seem like more harm than good, but in the long run the benefits are more valuable and can help create a better future for everyone.

Troy Lovett LGSC Particpant 2020,
27 April 2020