COVID-19 Shutdown Impact on Environmental Reparations

Today, COVID-19 has forced the entire world into a major lockdown with many large governments putting rules and regulations in place to protect people from this highly infectious and deadly virus. However, there is a silver lining to this dark cloud. The pandemic coupled with the shutdown has allowed the environment to rebound positively in a number of different ways. In the years leading up to 2020 the greenhouse gasses produced in the atmosphere has been trending upward since the industrialization era. As a result of reduced manufacturing and travel, the environment has seen significant positive changes in the environment including air quality, water quality and carbon emissions..  Carbon emission decreases can be seen here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-0797-x

Mean Troposheric NO2 Density

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146362/airborne-nitrogen-dioxide-plummets-over-china

Air quality has improved significantly in the age of COVID-19. As industry has taken a downturn and travel bans have been put in place, China has seen a 25% decrease in carbon emissions. In the first month of the Chinese lockdown, China produced approximately 200 million fewer metric tons of CO2 than that same period in 2019, due to the sudden decrease in air traffic, oil refining, and coal consumption. However, environmentalists have concerns that a Chinese attempt to reopen energy markets and start industrial work again may actually be worse for the ozone layer. The European Space Agency also observed a decline in nitrous oxide production which came about from the Italian lockdown. Such effects also came about in China as shown in the picture above. And air quality is not the only environmental aspect that is experiencing reparations.

Venice Canals

Water quality is also experiencing a positive change in that it's getting cleaner. In canals, there has been a noticeable increased visibility of fish and also increased water flow. In addition to water quality and restoration of natural water qualities. As the canals and waterways are not being disturbed by boat traffic, the waterways have regained resurgence of a healthy ecosystem. In fact, wildlife has seen a resurgence in many different ways. Wild animals have been seen roaming cities and even sea turtles have been laying eggs on beaches they once avoided in Africa due to human interference.  Bears have even been seen walking along roads in Alaska.

Bears share the road with humans in Alaska

Wildlife, however, could see negative changes in the future with potential increased poaching in Africa. Conservationists predict that after the coronavirus pandemic is over bush meat poaching in many African nations is likely to increase.  

Bush meat market in Africa

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and the many shutdowns that have occurred, the environment has seen many significant reparations. From the air to water to the wildlife, the world has seen a retraction to a more natural state as a result of the reduction of common human actions that pollute and hurt the environment.   Now with people beginning to return to their old habits and many states across the US reopening, a question of action going forward remains.  Will people notice their actions and become more aware of the environment?  Only time will tell but with giant media outlets like the Washington Post as well as the UN Environmental Program proclaiming the importance of environment reform, which has been highlighted during the COVID-19 shutdown, there could be a large opportunity for reform and protection of the environment.