COVID-19 crisis has emphasized how poorly prepared humanity is to cope with global disasters. However, this crisis also offers a unique opportunity to move towards a more sustainable and equitable future. Here, we identify the underlying environmental, social, and economic chronic causes of the COVID-19 crisis. We argue in favour of a holistic view to initiate a socio-economic transition to improve the prospects for global sustainability and human well-being. Alternative approaches to “Business-As-Usual” for guiding the transition are already available for implementation. Yet, to ensure a successful and just transition, we need to change our priorities towards environmental integrity and well-being. This necessarily means environmental justice, a different worldview and a closer relationship with nature.

COVID-19 危机凸显了人类应对全球灾难的准备不足。然而，这场危机也为迈向更加可持续和公平的未来提供了独特的机会。在这里，我们确定了 COVID-19 危机的潜在环境、社会和经济长期原因。我们主张采用整体观点来启动社会经济转型，以改善全球可持续性和人类福祉的前景。用于指导过渡的“一切照旧”的替代方法已经可供实施。然而，为了确保成功和公正的过渡，我们需要将我们的优先事项转向环境完整性和福祉。这必然意味着环境正义、不同的世界观以及与自然更密切的关系。