We could have taken the opportunity provided by Covid-19-triggered lockdowns to double down on renewable energy and decommission ageing, inefficient coal-fired power stations while power consumption was reduced – but, sadly, we didn’t. — AFP
There’s a very famous comic book called Watchmen, where (spoilers ahead!) a fictional alien invasion force is invented in an attempt to get the United States and Russia to stop the nuclear-age cold war between them and instead unite against a common foe. In 2020, Covid-19 presented the world with a similar opportunity to show that we could put our differences aside to fight a global threat. Yet we failed to rise to the occasion and stubbornly bickered over many things – including, in the early stages, whether the virus itself was a real threat or not.
When it comes to humanity, I am an optimist. I would like to think that our natural state is on the side of the better angels. That, when given the chance to find common ground, we can.
Subscribe to The Star Yearly Premium Plan for 30% off
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App.
Monthly Plan
RM 13.90/month
RM 9.73/month
Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.
Annual Plan
RM 12.39/month
RM 8.63/month
Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.