We’ve had record-breaking wildfires, hurricanes, and floods, but never before in our lifetimes has there been a catastrophe that hits the whole world at once.

We’re watching one another’s states and nations to see what works. So far, the US is coping worst of all. Led by our Denier-in-Chief, too many people refuse to protect themselves through social distancing or protective gear. But Americans seem to be learning – just the hard way, unfortunately.

This is not a fun way to find out that we really are all connected.

We’re seeing celebrities in sweatpants, not glammed up on the red carpet. We’re seeing which corporations care about their workers, and which just want to seem like they do. We’re finding out how much our casual contacts with neighbors and friends mean to us, now that we can’t have them.

Americans are also finding out why we need a federal government. We’re discovering this the hard way, too, since our current government is trying to shift all its responsibilities to states.

Individual responsibilities have never been so clear. We have to be kind, and we have to be careful. Every day, people we never heard of are showing us how to behave. Not only disease is contagious. Good cheer, courage, and helpfulness are also possible to catch from other people.

Climate change has already made us aware that we have to build a new world. We are starting to build a new civilization, from useful parts of the old one, with our amazing and under-rated imaginations.

The old culture was based on greed and violence. The new one is based on community and compassion. One of my friends calls this change “the warm shift.” Another points out that when a big ship makes a small course correction, it will lead to a whole new destination.  Humanity is a damn big ship. And we might now be making the small but vitally necessary course correction that will lead us to a survivable future.