COVID-19 pandemic that is sweeping across the world suggests unabated killing millions of people has severely affected the health and economy. The damage to the economy is enormous as the global economy is set to shrink by 3% with all advanced economies falling into recession and contract further to 6.1% during 2020, observes Beth DeBouvre that resonates the finding of the IMF. The slowest growth rates of many decades would happen in India and China at 1.2% and 1.9%, respectively. Since the Great Depression, the Great Lockdown is to trigger the deepest recession.

As experts discuss how governments can turn around their economy to restore normalcy, one thing that emerges is that the COVID-19 crisis has provided an opportunity to think more widely and design a more sustainable recovery.

For a sustainable recovery, governments can depend on three simple solutions.

Make households more energy-efficient, suggests Beth DeBouvre

The lockdown has compelled people to work from home on an Unprecedented scale, and as people stay confined at homes round the clock. The energy consumption has gone up many more times. Most likely, work from home is going to be the new normal even after the lockdown. And recovery from the pandemic, which means that the uptick in energy consumption will remain. Governments in advanced economies need to support households. To reduce their energy demand, which turns into savings for both distribution companies and consumers.  Households need encouragement about using more energy-efficient appliances, and Governments need to back up such efforts by providing financial assistance to low-income households to enable them to adapt appliances at home.

Develop the infrastructure of cities to promote walking and cycling

In matters of climate change and economic growth, cities can be like double-edged swords. Alongside generating 80% GDP, cities contribute more than 70% carbon dioxide emissions.  Several studies over the years and recent studies of Harvard University have shown a strong correlation between high air pollution and high COVID-19 mortality rates. Earlier studies on influenza-like outbreaks showed the linkup between air pollution and the rate of infections. Therefore, cities should now pay attention suggests to air pollution and its links to potential infection outbreaks.  More stress should be on encouraging people to walk and take to cycling. That can reduce crowding or public transit systems as well as air pollution.

Walking and cycling are feasible solutions, especially for short-distance travel involving less travel time. In the US, 46% of vehicle trips are within 5 km; it is 60% in France while in England, people use cars for trips of 1-2miles. Some European cities are already exploring walking and cycling routes for city residents.

Educate and appraise the public on the measures of energy reduction

Governments across the world have encouraged social distancing and stay at home initiatives to prevent the spread of infection. For slowing down the coronavirus from spreading, public support in implementing containment. Measures has been critical in slowing down the coronavirus from spreading. Since the reopening of economies depends on preventing the virus from spreading, governments should suggests. Collaborate with the public and educate them. On the measures of energy reduction, which helps in reducing air pollution and reduce infection while helping in opening economies.