Coronavirus Impact on the Environment

The coronavirus has completely flipped the world upside down unraveling issues that generations to come will face. It has brought terror, hardship, economic downfall, and much more at the global level. While the only thing you are probably reading, hearing, and watching about lately is the coronavirus, I wanted to investigate it from a different standpoint. As billions worldwide are quarantined, the Earth is finally getting a break; pollution has dramatically decreased. 

The coronavirus pandemic has basically shut down the world– cars, buses, trains, and planes are parked, and industry activity is shut down. Blue skies and clear waters emerge as humanity is halted. Places where pollution has dominated are catching a period of relief. From Venice to Beijing, Los Angeles to Bangalore, pollution is decreasing. Beijing, the capital of China, is known for dangerously high levels of toxic pollution that overwhelms the city, has- for the first time in a while- seen clear skies. The lung-choking levels of air pollution has caused nearly 1 million premature deaths each year. As factories in the city have shut down production, this pollution reduction has provided a great unexpected relief. 

However, experts warn the public to not assume this will fix any problems. The reduction of pollution must come from a source that is maintained during normal societal activity. Environmental experts also expect high pollution levels to return when society does. They also suggest this spike will return faster than we might expect. With billions anxious to return to their normal routines, pollution levels will unfortunately return.    

As pollution decreases, data is showing a specific decline in nitrogen dioxide levels. Nitrogen dioxide is responsible for causing respiratory problems and worsening existing respiratory illnesses like asthma. It is abundant in major cities as it is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels; it comes from car engines, power plants, and other industrial processes. The European Space Agency reports satellite images showing reduced nitrogen dioxide levels. Several major cities including Paris, Madrid, and Rome are showing great decline as they are in lockdown and travel restrictions are in place.  As many American states have now entered lockdown, similar effects are being seen. The traffic-congested cities like Los Angeles and New York are showing a great decline in nitrogen dioxide levels. 

In addition to nitrogen dioxide, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, is greatly declining. According to an analysis by Carbon Brief, in China alone, levels have decreased by a quarter in mid-February. 

One of the largest drops in pollution levels was seen in Wuhan, which is located in the center of China. Wuhan contains over 11 million people, serving a large transportation center, a large number of industries responsible for car parts and other materials sold globally. Wuhan was put into strict lockdown in late January and saw a dramatic shift in air quality. According to experts of Nasa, all across eastern and central china, nitrogen dioxide levels have been 10-30% below normal. 

Similar effects are also being seen in Italy. The changes in northern Italy have been striking. Much of the factories’ smoke gets trapped against the Alps located at the end of Po Valley. This has turned into one of the most polluted places. When lockdown was set in place in early March, Milan and other parts of northern Italy gained a great period of relief. Nitrogen dioxide levels fell by around 40%. This trend doesn’t stop at China and Italy- but continues as more countries enter lockdown. 

The decline in emissions is so important for the development of the planet throughout nature and for humanity. Its ability to aggravate respiratory diseases contributes to millions of deaths across the globe. In addition, this clear air may help those with COVID-19. The clearer air may bring some relief– making it easier for them to breathe. However, experts say that the years of inhaling polluted air has already done the damage and has probably made people more succesptible to coronavirus.  

With all of this said, the carbon emissions will not stay down without dramatic changes. They are likely to bounce back just as fast as they have dropped– and have already begun so. China is the perfect example of this process. According to Myllyvirta, nitrogen dioxide pollution had returned to normal levels by the end of March. This pattern will likely be seen across the globe. 

Clearly, the decrease in pollution is not a silver lining. We can only hope that people use this period as an example of what the environment is supposed to look like and that we can change that. We see how badly our actions affect the environment and that policies and regulation need to be set in place in order to reduce the pollution during normal societal activity.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/23/coronavirus-pandemic-leading-to-huge-drop-in-air-pollution

https://time.com/5812741/air-pollution-coronavirus/