While the challenge of getting the coronavirus outbreak under control is surely ominous, it merits recognizing that from a sustainability standpoint we may have a rare window of opportunity. The challenge will be to lock in the reductions in energy and material utilization that are already occurring and will probably intensify in coming weeks and months. COVID-19 could inadvertently contribute to meaningful progress toward meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The coronavirus situation provides, challenging though they may be, several leverage points for opening pathways to a sustainability transition.

An Open Forum was held via webinar on March 26, 2020 to discuss ways to move forward in light of the issues raised in the commentary posted on the Future Earth Blog on March 13.