While altering the history of our time, the COVID-19 pandemic has offered a new opportunity in the global climate fight.

As countries battle the coronavirus and ensuing economic recession that has seen millions face adversity, there is a widespread awareness that it is time to take stock of our ways: to live more healthily and consume less energy and reduce the impact of climate change.

During the pandemic, major disasters continued unabated. Fire still razed 3.5 million hectares in the California wildfires in the United States and over 2 million ha in the Amazon, and over 18.6 million ha in Australia.

From Germany to Australia, major floods have been caused by unpredictable climate patterns, causing disruption and taking lives.

All the calamities and their devastating impacts have led countries to renew their pledges in the climate fight. And this time, it looks like some major countries are already on board. 

The European Union has agreed to a series of goals to mitigate climate change, including the bloc reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, and pledging to make them legally binding.

With President Joe Biden leading the administration, the US is making a return to the front lines of the fight against climate change after former president Donald Trump disengaged from the process.

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