A Lesson To Be Learned: Inadvertent Climate Benefits Due to COVID-19

As I assume all of you are aware, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a new strain recently discovered, has spread across cultures, languages and even to the sea. Within grocery stores, we are seeing substantial shortages in toilet paper and other necessities. Proactive measures, such as social distancing orders, are being taken to decrease the spread of COVID-19.

Climate Benefits Amidst the Crisis

Many countries have been under lockdown limiting travel and encouraging social distancing. Italy is one of these countries. On March 9th, 2020, the government under Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte enforced a national quarantine regulating the movement of the public with the exception of necessary work and health needs.

The once polluted and sully water has become increasingly clearer.

In Venice, a lack of boat traffic in the city's distinguished canals as a result of the populace being confined to their houses has unforeseen climate benefits. The once polluted and sullied water has become increasingly clear, allowing fish to be visible.

Another area seeing drastic environmental changes during this time is China. Along with Italy, China has been forced to restrict entrance at its borders to manage the rates of infection. The rapid spread of disease, particularly in Wuhan China, where COVID-19 first surfaced, led Chinese government officials to lock down the city. This lockdown isolated 11 million people. Travel constraints in China caused ordinarily gridlocked air and road transportation to come to a halt. NASA's and the European Space Agency's pollution-observing satellites detected an incredible decrease in air pollution during the two weeks of quarantine in February. An estimated 1.6 million people, according to a study by non-profit organization Berkeley Earth, die each year from heart, lung and stroke complications due to polluted air. This sudden decrease of nitrogen dioxide in the air can hopefully decrease this large statistic.

What Lessons Can Be Learned

Experts advise that as the eventual bounce back of countries and economies approaches so will emissions bounce back. It can be hoped that this pandemic encourages companies and governments to acknowledge the risk that other issues, for example, climate change, pose. They too can result in devastation and watchful measures must be taken. As we move to restore the economy we must address these large issues and scale down emissions.

Stay safe

I wish everyone health, calm and happiness during these unusual and unparalleled times.