Purpose This article examines US official and public responses to the COVID-19 pandemic for insights into future policy and pubic responses to global climate change. Design/methodology/approach This article compares two contemporary global threats to human health and well-being: the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. We identify several similarities and differences between the two environmental phenomena and explore their implications for public and policy responses to future climate-related disasters and disruptions. Findings Our review of research on environmental and public health crises reveals that though these two crises appear quite distinct, some useful comparisons can be made. We analyze several features of the pandemic for their implications for possible future responses to global climate change: elasticity of public responses to crises; recognition of environmental, health, racial, and social injustice; demand for effective governance; and resilience of the natural world. Originality/value This paper examines public and policy responses to the coronavirus pandemic for their implications for mitigating and adapting to future climate crises.