White Paper – Building Back Sustainably From COVID-19

11.17.2020 | HMMH |

There is no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the aviation industry. Reduced flights, closed borders, and the public’s hesitancy to fly have all contributed to a particularly difficult situation, which does not show signs of changing soon.

Although the pandemic is an acute disaster that has (appropriately) captured global attention and demanded an immediate response, there is another disaster unfolding which is the greater threat to the future of our industry and society. The climate crisis is already causing impacts to the economy, environment, and our communities and, if significant action is not taken immediately, the consequences will be dire. The aviation industry must simultaneously work to address its contribution to climate change by drastically cutting carbon emissions and adapt to increased vulnerabilities such as rising sea levels, extreme precipitation events and changing precipitation patterns, more frequent and powerful storms and storm surges, drought, fire, species migration, extreme heat, etc.

As in so many aspects of our lives, this pandemic “pause” provides a unique opportunity to reflect on how we might make fundamental changes to our way of life—by creating a “new normal” rather than “returning to normal.” This new normal should have sustainability and resiliency at its core.

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