Chapter 4
Finding the Long-Lost Path: Developing
Environmental Awareness Through
the Pandemic
T. S. Shwetha and Avneet Kaur
Abstract The continuous degradation and mass destruction of the environment has
led environmentalists to believe that our planet would become uninhabitable for any
species in the future. As a result of the restrictions in place due to the pandemic,
critical aspects of our impact on the environment have been brought to our attention.
This chapter focuses on such insights, and emphasises on how the observations
during this time could help us understand the need of the hour, i.e., learning to
share the same space with other species on the planet. To achieve this state, the
priorities would have to shift from an attitude of constant consumption and shortterm satisfaction, to a sense of well-being based on community and harmony with
nature. The chapter further goes on to explore the contribution of psychology in
changing the existing unsustainable actions of humans towards pro-environment
and sustainable behaviour through an examination of both the contributing factors
as well as obstacles to achieving such a change. Finally, a psychosocial model for
sustainable action is proposed, focusing on promoting global health, wealth and
peace; thus, creating a safe and secure space for all living beings.
Keywords Pandemic · Well-being · Community · Harmony
4.1 Introduction
The continuous degradation of the environment in terms of pollution, extreme
weather conditions, rising sea levels, accumulation of waste and contamination of
oceans has led to mass exploitation, resulting in a planet we may no longer be able
to inhabit in the future. Humans seem to have taken the phrase “ignorance is bliss”
way too literally in this context. Extreme complacency on our part, along with an
T. S. Shwetha (B) · A. Kaur
Department of Clinical Psychology, Manipal College of Health Professions (MCHP), Manipal
Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
e-mail: shwetha.ts@manipal.edu
A. Kaur
e-mail: avneetkchawla96@gmail.com
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
C. Chakraborty et al. (eds.), The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Green Societies,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66490-9_4
93
Finding the Long-Lost Path: Developing
Environmental Awareness Through
the Pandemic
T. S. Shwetha and Avneet Kaur
Abstract The continuous degradation and mass destruction of the environment has
led environmentalists to believe that our planet would become uninhabitable for any
species in the future. As a result of the restrictions in place due to the pandemic,
critical aspects of our impact on the environment have been brought to our attention.
This chapter focuses on such insights, and emphasises on how the observations
during this time could help us understand the need of the hour, i.e., learning to
share the same space with other species on the planet. To achieve this state, the
priorities would have to shift from an attitude of constant consumption and shortterm satisfaction, to a sense of well-being based on community and harmony with
nature. The chapter further goes on to explore the contribution of psychology in
changing the existing unsustainable actions of humans towards pro-environment
and sustainable behaviour through an examination of both the contributing factors
as well as obstacles to achieving such a change. Finally, a psychosocial model for
sustainable action is proposed, focusing on promoting global health, wealth and
peace; thus, creating a safe and secure space for all living beings.
Keywords Pandemic · Well-being · Community · Harmony
4.1 Introduction
The continuous degradation of the environment in terms of pollution, extreme
weather conditions, rising sea levels, accumulation of waste and contamination of
oceans has led to mass exploitation, resulting in a planet we may no longer be able
to inhabit in the future. Humans seem to have taken the phrase “ignorance is bliss”
way too literally in this context. Extreme complacency on our part, along with an
T. S. Shwetha (B) · A. Kaur
Department of Clinical Psychology, Manipal College of Health Professions (MCHP), Manipal
Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
e-mail: shwetha.ts@manipal.edu
A. Kaur
e-mail: avneetkchawla96@gmail.com
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
C. Chakraborty et al. (eds.), The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Green Societies,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66490-9_4
93