Some of you may know, I am a practising architect and passionate about sustainable design of the buildings, cities and to this end , I have been pushing forward the agenda of using building science to inform design processes and eventually board room decisions.

So with this background, I wish to take the opportunity to convey Three points, which I believe are important, yet not on top of the discussion agenda.

1. Covid-19 is deeply connected to the Environmental issues we all have created during the past 150 years.

– According to UNEP, seventy-five percent of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, i.e. viruses originating from the transfer from animals, whether domesticated or wild, to humans. 1 new infectious disease emerges every 4 months. Protecting diversity of natural habitats, stopping creation of monocultures of species and stopping illegal trade of animals is very important to decrease this risk. Buildings are a major contributor to this destruction of natural habitats, directly or indirectly, due to the bulk use of materials during construction.

-Last 4 weeks in Lockdown have revealed many stories of how nature is healing itself, since we have Slowed Down. Delhi has much better air quality , rivers are much cleaner and trees are full of happy birds and animals rejoicing the break from human activity and we all can feel it.

– Despite Paris agreement to work towards a max 1.5 Deg C, global carbon emissions have been rising 6% every year. Climate change is predicted to disrupt natural cycles increasing risk of new diseases. Covid-19 situation according to some experts is showing impacts which climate change will bring in future. Importantly, Covid-19 and the subsequent economic recession is expected to further set back negotiations between countries to act on climate change.

– This year in 2020 after many years, due to Covid-19, the Global carbon emissions are expected to decline by about 8% . However this is nothing to rejoice since it is not due to any structural change in our economy. As soon as the New Normal ( Read Business as Usual ) resumes (much like after 2009 recession) a huge spike in carbon emissions, much more that the carbon saved, is expected to hit the planet.

The Health of Our Planet is intimately tied up with Our Health. Our planet is at risk. Covid-19 is expected to increase that risk.

2. We are focussed on the current CRISIS. Let’s also think long term.

Some of us who can step away from the Crisis, should take a longer term strategic approach and push forth new models of sustainable economic development.

– As Govts all over the world roll out stimulus packages to boost their local economies, its key that we all work towards prioritising sustainable projects: health care, environmental protection, heritage & culture projects, efficiency and carbon capture, slum re-development. We need to pick projects with real benefits to our communities over Mega Infra. projects which perhaps are most desired by large construction companies.

– After Covid-19 Lockdown ends, there will be a significant push to infuse latest technology into construction industry and much of it may be aimed at saving time, money and physical presence on sites. In short term labour is expected to become expensive. In Indian AEC Industry, I am hearing a lot of discussion about modularisation and prefab technologies gaining more traction. At this same time lakhs of our labourer and craftsmen are expected to become unemployed. We need to look at these technologies also from the perspective of doing good for as many as possible. How can we gainfully employ our labour and craftsmen ?

– During the physical Lockdown there is a Digital Civic space which is emerging but it is not equally accessible to all Indians. While many are going ga-ga over technology, future of cities and buildings post-covid19, we must not forget there is 68 % of our people are in rural areas, 30% of our population is below poverty Line. Lakhs don’t have proper homes. There is a technology and resource divide which will make Covid-19 hit rural India harder. There is equally an opportunity of innovating, be it with virtual education, tele health or a digital market place for farmers. Technology can help us innovate for our rural masses.

– Reports say that the 21-day lock down alone, would have cost India $ 120 billion . Isn’t this the right time to start environmental accounting and capture benefits gained by our planet during the lockdown ?

–  Green Rated building movement has not had the scale of positive impact and market penetration as desired. They are very often used as a board room tool to justify projects which inherently may be unsustainable in their nature e.g. airports, large glass buildings. Many rated buildings perform poorly during operations. Green buildings have a role but presently they need mass adoption and game-changing solutions to save our planet. What we need, is for green projects to now go well beyond Net Zero, they need to become Regenerative in their nature. Its a big ask and requires time, which we are running out of.

3. Health is the final bottom-line

Covid-19 has offered us a peep into some of the issue’s future holds. It has also offered us a quiet moment to rethink our preferences for that future. Many today, in their hearts, wish this Covid-19 situation will become a positive turning point for human ecological consciousness. However, our public memories are short and there is a real risk that as soon as the lockdown opens, business as usual economic pressures will make us forget the important things we have realised during this lockdown.

It will be very difficult for civic life, culture, art, heritage and even democracy to thrive in a future plunged into crisis by environmental degradation and climate change.

Perhaps, we are today in a better position to see the essential from the superfluous. Health is the absolute bottom line to the triple bottom-line of environment, society and economy.

In the above context, should we consider 2 months of voluntary slow down every year, to save our planet ? Those two months, we will happily devote to our homes and families ? Those two months we will let our planet and its ecosystems rejuvenate ? I think we should.

Author: Harsh Thapar.

Disclaimer : Views expressed are personal views of the Author and not of any organisations he may be affiliated with.