The economic crisis began in 2008. In November of that year, the collapse of the housing bubble resulted in a huge oversupply of homes. This oversupply meant that the value of home prices fell, and many homeowners were unable to sell their homes. As a result of falling house prices, the homeowners who remained were forced to cut their spending to the bone, which contributed to the economic crisis.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the routine of people’s lives around the world, and climate change is exacerbating existing impacts. But it has also imposed new challenges that will require innovative solutions.

There are also consequences for the environment. In the aftermath of the disaster, there is often a dramatic increase in land and sea use for the ill-defined purpose of “saving” the environment, rather than for the well-defined purpose of creating, maintaining, and nurturing habitat. The most obvious example today is debris-strewn beaches and shorelines.

COVID-19 has caused widespread disruptions to the educational process. The pandemic has forced many school closures, limited off-campus learning, and required alternative ways to learn for millions of people. Many schools have adapted their schedules to continue to provide learning opportunities to their students remotely. Parents and guardians are faced with deciding how to respond to their children’s schooling needs during this new environment.

I would like to suggest that even if you live in a world in which disasters are inevitable and an outbreak of pandemic disease is imminent, you still can make a difference. Your life experiences can make a difference. Your community's experiences can make a difference. And, your faith in God can make a difference.