The coronavirus has undoubtedly taken a disastrous toll on global health, economies around the world, and social interactions. However, the outbreak has also caused an interesting impact on another part of our society: the environment. One of the most prevalent environmental changes due to COVID-19 is the difference in air quality. Countries like Italy and China are seeing drastic improvements in the levels of air pollution, most notably in drops of nitrogen oxide. This cleaner air comes as a result of reductions in industrial activity because of restricted businesses activity, as well as minimized vehicle travel. The social distancing policies enacted in a large number of countries have resulted in employees working from home, thus clearing the roads. Similarly, travel bans and fear of contamination in airports has significantly reduced the amount of air traffic. In New York, traffic levels were estimated to be 35% lower than they were a year ago, while carbon monoxide emissions (mainly from cars and trucks) have fallen by 50%. The drop in emissions varies from location to location depending on the types of fuels used to generate electricity, but it is clear that the world is seeing lower levels of pollution due to the effects of the coronavirus. Not only has COVID-19 improved air quality, but this pandemic has visibly affected wildlife and our ecosystems. Bodies of water such as the inner canals of Venice have been seeing unusually clear water. Experts believe that this is due to a combination of a lack of boat traffic and reduction of sewage discharges into the canal that were previously stimulated by tourism and commuting workers. Furthermore, as humans are confined in their homes, social distancing practices are changing the way that animals interact with their surroundings. For instance, sika deer in Japan were spotted wandering into urban settings to find food, because many of them used to be dependent on snacks fed to them by tourists. Animals that have come to rely on scrap food in cities and bustling areas will be forced to adapt and find alternative ways to feed themselves.
Will the environmental benefits and changes last past this pandemic? The answer to this question depends on how our government and citizens handle the aftermath of the crisis. On one hand, there are a lot of lessons that can be learned from COVID-19, giving us a new opportunity to take environmental action. We now know the extent to which education, shopping, telecommuting, networking, and more can be done virtually, which could create a more sustainable future. Unfortunately, on the other hand, many believe that the issues in our economy will undermine the enthusiasm for environmental protection as the world recovers. Governments will likely try to quickly re-stimulate the economy, ramping up the amount of tourism and services, unclean sources of energy, and relaxed business regulations. It is imperative that we continue to advocate for our environment in these tough times.
Previously cloudy Venice canals turned beautifully clear as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.