More than any other time before, the COVID-19 global pandemic proved to us that life is full of uncertainties and it’s fine to be unable to predict the future, as long as you make the present count. That one fight humans were waging against climate change, has turned into a full on duel between Global Warming and Global Pandemics in 2020, therefore it is worth mentioning how this battle turned out. Although climate change doesn’t directly lead to a rise in pandemics, there is evidence showing that the dynamics behind climate change influence the spreading of novel or known viruses, as well as, the relationship between how animals and humans respond to these viruses. Hence humans’ reactions are tightly bound to their environment, one could easily notice the importance of climate change during pandemics. Thus, if polar bear extinction and wildfire burning entire forests was not terrifying enough, then maybe the faster spread of Corona might have installed some shock in non-environmentalists. The duel is not necessarily carried between the two of the issues I mentioned previously; if this was a war, in fact, the COVID-19 pandemic could have been the Switzerland to our Mother Nature, giving her a helping hand. It is mostly a war between us, inhabitants of Earth, wagering with our own actions that affect the environment we live in. Data does show that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the biggest drop in CO2 in history[1], however, that is only a result of the governmental lockdown policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which reduced travel, industrial production, and energy generation. [2] The UN, hence, warns that the positive impact of improved air quality is only temporary and if we are not able to maintain the changes, we will quickly get back on track to a steady disintegration of our environment. In India, for example, the main motto behind imposing nationwide lockdown was to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, since studies showed that the virus spreads through the air, droplets, touch and hence social distancing should be maintained. After the lockdown, the air quality in cities like Delhi was significantly improved in terms of PM2.5 (fine particulate), NO2 and CO levels. [3] The improvement in air quality is a very short-term effect that does not mean that climate change has been curbed, given the great amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, emitted due to human activity since the Industrial Revolution. [1] For example, in April 2020, daily global CO2 emissions were 17% below the mean level in 2019, although levels rose again once restrictions were released, [2] proving that we are the main reason why Earth is slowly shutting down. NO2 map over California from TROPOMI
One other form of pollution is water-related. Restrictions on the sailing of ships and boats cleaned water resources with such purity which previously has been impossible by human efforts even for developed countries. Fishes are easily visible and come out of water in many cities of the world, proving that nature can solve the problems we caused her as long as we let her alone, to do her own healing. Sound pollution, such as vehicles sound, transportation, etc, affected too our life quality and mental and physical health. Noise pollution is, in fact, associated with health conditions, including cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances etc. After lockdown due to the minimized road-traffic, factories not functioning, social functions and large gatherings being banned, sound pollution has also been reduced to a considerable level. [3] As we are slowly fighting the virus through vaccines and lockdowns, we should fear going back ‘to normal’ since that normal is leading us to a future to fear. Nevertheless, there is plenty of hope for the future with regard to climate change if we switch steadily to “green” innovations and use of green technology as part of economic recovery. So while the duel is far from over yet, the COVID-19 pandemic can be viewed as “a natural experiment”, showing that social change is possible with rapid cohesive international action, priority setting, and mobilisation of financial resources. [2] References [1] Juan Rafael Ruiz & Patricia Stupariu (2021) A green new deal and debt sustainability for the post COVID-19 world, International Review of Applied Economics, 35:2, 288-307, DOI: 10.1080/02692171.2021.1879742 [2] Nilsson, M. et al; Covid-19—a rehearsal to build a greener and healthier society; THE ROAD TO EQUITY AND SOLIDARITY; BMJ: first published as 10.1136/bmj.n127 on 28 January 2021. Downloaded from http://www.bmj.com/%20BMJ:%20first%20published%20as%2010.1136/bmj.n127%20on%2028%20January%202021 [3] Ghungrud, Deepali; Sharma, Ranjana; Tembhare, Vaishali; Gujar, Samruddhi; The Unseen Positive Effects of Lockdown Due to Covid-19 Pandemic: Air pollution, Sound Pollution, Water Pollution, Sanitation and Hygiene, Behavioral Change, Global Warming, Road Traffic Accidents; Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology . Jan-Mar2021, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p382-390. 9p.
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March 2021
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