On Earth Day, Remember That Covid-19 Is Also An Environmental Problem

The greenest person on the planet explains why

- Joselito B. Cruz

Matthias Gelber (www.greenmanspeaks.com) has been called “the greenest person on the planet.” Born and raised in a small German village surrounded with forests, he unsurprisingly took on a strong affinity with nature. He has long been an advocate of sustainable living.

From Europe, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Environmental Science at Brunel University in the UK, his advocacy led him to Southeast Asia, where many developing countries are among those at highest risk of climate change impact. He co-founded a firm that specializes in high-performance yet low-carbon-footprint construction materials and has published his first book, The Greenman’s Guide to Green Living and Working.

Matthias now calls the Philippines home, and from his suburban residence in Laguna together with his family, he is experiencing the “new normal” under the community quarantine, along with millions of Filipinos across the nation.

As a global environmental expert and proponent of sustainable living, he shares his thoughts in time for this year’s 50th commemoration of Earth Day on how the coronavirus is not only a public health issue but an environmental one as well.

As the world has resorted to lockdowns, people have begun witnessing tangible changes in the environment. What do you consider the most remarkable?

A significant improvement in air quality and the reduction of pollution are among the most amazing changes. People can see it with their own eyes, they can measure it. For example, in India where they haven’t seen the Himalayas in the last 20 years, suddenly they can see it, because the smog that’s been clouding the view has disappeared. In Metro Manila, we have seen the remarkable social media photos of condo dwellers finally getting a view of the surrounding Sierra Madre mountain ranges.