There’s a famous saying that most of us will have heard at some point in our lives. What goes around, comes around. Or, simply put, you always get what you deserve. It is difficult not to see how this has applied to our world lately. We ruthlessly damaged it for decades on end, and now it is our time to suffer. Nature is striking back as we speak.
Climate Change & COVID-19
Much is said for COVID-19 being at least partially caused by our blatant disregard for the world around us. If it is not for the destruction of habitats and careless trade of wild animals, it would be for the rising temperatures on earth, making it a much more enjoyable environment for viruses and bacteria to thrive in.
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It only goes to show how much damage nature can inflict on our precious society - currently through extensive lockdowns and mitigation measures. To our economy, to our jobs, our mortgages, our schools, and our prosperity. Who’s to say that economy trumps nature? It is only extensive impromptu government programs that are preventing historical drops in interest rates, unemployment numbers, and stock prices.
What the Coronavirus teaches us about Climate Change (COVID-19).
And even then, we are far from safe. Millions and millions have lost their job and will soon find themselves unable to pay for their mortgages or credit card bills. Unprecedented numbers of companies are finding themselves in the red and on the verge of bankruptcy. Banks and credit card companies have agreed to temporary payment ‘breaks’ or lenient loans, but they can only be excellent for so long. Capitalism has finally met its match.
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Millions and millions have lost their job and lost their home.
Nature Damaged Nature Hits Back: Our Economy
All of this only serves to underline one thing. Whatever we pursue in life, both in business and in our private lives, we have to keep an eye out for Mother Nature. She is the foundation of life and everything else, including our economy. We have known this for much longer than just the past few months. Whenever a natural disaster strikes, the economy gets hit in equal parts. Droughts lead to famine and poverty. Extreme weather leads to the destruction of residential and commercial areas. And so on.
So, if we are to continue down the same destructive path that we are on today, we will inevitably be destroying our economy as well. Nature damaged; nature hits our economy. Rising sea levels will lead to the destruction of important, low-level industrial areas or hubs. Thousands and thousands of people will be displaced, while extensive flood control measures will have to be taken. A seemingly endless bill that no one is prepared to foot.
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Nature Damaged Nature Hits Back: Climatic Effects
We are looking at some 300 million people becoming homeless and needing to relocate. Not just homes are going to waste, but also businesses. Shops. Offices. Airports. Schools. Factories. Family treasures, as not all your belongings, will be able to move with you.
And, at a much higher level, self-esteem, and a feeling of safety. Likely, the residents of the safe havens that we flee to will not be welcoming us with open arms, as they will find their resources and jobs dwindling. Kind of like the situation that we find ourselves in today, but much worse.
It is not just the rising sea levels threatening livelihood, though. There’s the danger of droughts destroying farmlands and promoting desertification. The agricultural industry will be hit hard, but so will the hospitality and tourism industries. We might even be looking at parts of the world becoming inhabitable, unable to support any form of life.
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Nature Hits Back: Extreme Weather
Instead of a COVID-lockdown, we might be finding ourselves becoming more familiar with climate-related lockdowns. For extreme weather events, for instance, where massive storms, floods, or droughts will prevent us from going out on the street. But unlike the current lockdowns, our own homes might not provide the safety that we need. Home improvements or the installation of lockdown shelters will be another considerable investment that could be on our horizon, forcing the government to show her deep pockets.
At the same time, extreme weather has been known to be a leading cause of migration patterns. Climate refugees will put another massive strain on the economy.
All in all, you would do well not to consider our economy superior to our planet. The planet has a way of hitting back that will damage the economy in a much more profound way.
What goes around comes around.
Before you go!
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