Our world, our daily operations, and our day-to-day lives have all changed and adjusted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes have helped keep us safe and reduced the impact and spread of COVID-19. As we respect the challenges everyone faces at this time, it is also important to reflect on the positive ways our world has changed as a result of travelling less and staying/working at home more. Whether it’s an absence of smog in large cities, increased physical activity in communities, reduced energy expenses, reduced airline traffic, or transitioning to more digital processes and using less paper, these areas are worth exploring further. Memorial University’s footprint in communities is significant and the institution acknowledges it has a responsibility to explore these areas of positive change from a perspective of sustainability and climate action.

Exploring these areas will be the focus of the Climate Action Coalition’s online event: “After COVID: Staying Sustainable”. In partnership with Memorial’s newly formed Office of Sustainability and Climate Action, join our panel as we discuss where they’ve observed ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in positive changes within the areas of operations, procedures, and daily life on campus with respect to sustainability and climate action. Following brief comments from our panelists, participants will engage in a Q&A, share ideas, and shape the conversation. We’re looking for your creative ideas and suggestions on how we can sustain the areas of positive change as we move toward establishing a new normal post-COVID-19.