COVID-19 has claimed tens of thousands of lives in the United States, strained hospital systems to the breaking point, and decimated small businesses. It has impacted hospital workers, first responders, and essential workers physically, financially, and emotionally. All of us have been forced, in large and small ways, to change how we live, work, and play.

We are at an inflection point in re-thinking fundamental pillars of civilized society – healthcare, education, criminal justice, food supply – and we are finally asking the right questions: “Why not?” instead of “why?” and “how might we?” instead of “why should we?” The same questions can accelerate our transition to a low-carbon economy. Three areas are of particular relevance in a post-COVID world.

Energy

More Americans are likely to choose remote work, either temporarily or permanently, prompting a shift away from high-rise urban living and (comparatively) energy-efficient modern-day workplaces and businesses. How can we use this opportunity to invest in improving energy efficiency and upgrading weatherproofing technologies in our homes? How might we incentivize innovators to design better appliances, smarter climate control solutions, and more energy-efficient heating & lighting? How do we encourage renewable energy adoption, like rooftop solar panel installations?

Transportation

The reverse migration and public health concerns also signal a shift away from public transit, ride-sharing, and bike-sharing and back to car ownership and more driving. Instead of mourning this shift, why don’t we improve our highway infrastructure now to reduce fuel use and wear and tear on our vehicles when we do start driving again? How can we expand the use smart traffic controls and open-road tolling to reduce congestion and increase (safe) driving speeds? Why don’t we create a thorough regulatory framework for, and fund the development of, autonomous vehicles?

Beyond the immediate, how can we accelerate the transition away from the internal combustion engine entirely? Why don’t we invest in the development and production of alternative drivetrains for cars and trucks? How do we improve battery technology and expand the charging infrastructure? How might we create incentives for individual buyers and fleet operators to make the switch?

Plastics

Health concerns have prompted a shift back to single-use plastics in packaging, containers, and cutlery in hospitality, food & beverage, grocery, and other retail sectors. This could reverse years of progress on reducing and reusing plastics. Instead, why not fund innovation in compostable / biodegradable alternatives? How could we broaden adoption of solutions that already exist, like BioBag? Indeed, how might we make biodegradable products even better than their petroleum-based counterparts, for example by:

• Impregnating them with organically-derived solutions that keep our food fresh for longer, along the lines of Apeel, FreshPaper, or Cambridge Crops, or

• Embedding technology to indicate undesirable qualities (toxins, allergens) or changes (temperature, oxidation)?

2020 has forced us to confront many important priorities and many more questions like these. This moment is a unique opportunity for us to re-imagine our sustainability agenda, jumpstart a new economy for the 21st century, and create jobs that we sorely need, but it will take concerted action. Legislators and regulators, funders and innovators, businesses and individuals all have an opportunity (and, dare I say, an obligation) to make it a reality.