COVID-19 lessons

The COVID-19 crisis is teaching us crucial lessons about our humanity that can be applied to climate change. Because of COVID-19, billions of people changed their behavior to protect themselves and to shield those who are most susceptible to COVID-19 - the elderly and other high-risk individuals.

This same principle of collectively caring for those who need it most can be used to fight climate change. With the climate crisis, the most vulnerable are young people, such as myself and marginalized communities, especially low-income, Black, Brown and indigenous communities. Just as we have a responsibility to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we also have a responsibility to take action to reduce the severity of the climate crisis.

The good news is that with our government's COVID-19 recovery packages, we have the opportunity to minimize the economic crisis for Americans by accelerating the decarbonization of our economy and energy system. This would create millions of well-paying jobs for those struggling financially and actively create a cleaner, healthier and more equitable world.

Everyone can help make a sustainable and just recovery a reality for our country. Your voice and your choices matter. Tell your nationally elected officials that action on climate, which will put money into American communities, needs to be a central part of what moves us forward from the economic crisis. Tell your legislators at the state level to support the Illinois Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA), which would provide a sustainable solution to the economic and public health crises while building stronger and healthier communities here in Illinois.

Together, with care and solidarity for the most vulnerable, we will get through both crises - COVID-19 and climate change.

Eliana Bernat

Vernon Hills