Life is full of risks. Some are known…many are unknown, or unseen. With COVID-19 the world has been exposed to a new and significant threat to our wellbeing. Climate Change has also been presented as a monumental risk capable of “end of world” catastrophic effects – just around the corner. The “invisible enemies” are all around us and we are now faced with new levels of perceived risk in our societies.

For COVID-19 the risk mitigating guidance has primarily suggested limiting activity – staying home, not socializing, or going to school, or work, or the gym, or out for dinner, or exposing ourselves unnecessarily for any reason. Also, when we do go out, we should defend ourselves and others by shielding our faces and bodies from the unknown enemy.

With Climate Change, we have been told we need to fundamentally change the way our societies use and utilize energy. We need to minimize our footprints and limit activity as we “progress” toward a new “zero-carbon” world. These measures are necessary according to the official guidelines from the scientific elite who have the answers… In the US and much of the world, these narratives have been pushed down through the media and policy leaders for months and years.

By limiting activity, many people have undoubtedly reduced their risk of contracting COVID-19…but at what costs? Are there more pragmatic solutions which would enable society to function without as much disruption? Also, with Climate Change, will we be subjected to similar life altering regulations and restrictions?

Most of us don’t think twice before leaving the house to go to work, or run errands. This is despite the risks. By the very act of leaving a shelter or being active, we are putting ourselves at greater risk… but that is also life. Life happens everywhere – outside, in the sun, at schools, at work, at the gym, at restaurants, at bars and nightclubs, at the movies and concerts, at dinner tables, around people… everywhere. By insulating ourselves against the unknown virus, what are we giving up? By limiting are fossil fuel use are we really preventing a climate catastrophe? At what immediate cost? Are there other less disruptive solutions? Is it really a “crisis”? Are these drastic trade-offs necessary?

Many studies have shown our physical health and wellbeing as humans is integrated with our emotional and psychological health. Even the basic foundation of aging is determined by our health and wellbeing as much as any chronological constructs. People need sunshine. People need to work…and to play. Children need school and real interactions with other kids. We need to laugh. We need to socialize.

As the top down fear-mongering crisis narratives of COVID-19 and Climate Change continue to play out through the focused efforts of the centralized media machines…we need to take a step back, step outside, look around, and realize life is a risk. That is living. There will always be trade-offs. We are all in this together. We, as societies, have a much better chance to discover innovative solutions and change with world through decentralized prosperity, optimism, and creativity – not through centralized top-down austerity, fear, and controls.