COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll not only on the health of the human beings but also impacted negatively on the economy. However, considering the environment factor, COVID-19 has proved to be miraculously a boon. Due to the shutting down of industries and the market, the economy has gone for a toss but it has been meticulously successful in healing nature and its components to a great extent.
There has been a drastic reduction in the carbon dioxide emissions this year due to the pandemic. This has become possible only due to the shutting down of factories and hence, no emissions of hazardous and toxic gases mainly carbon-monoxides, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur. There has been a closing down of a number of trade and commerce activities as well. The production of waste has reduced and thereby brought a considerable reduction in the waste disposal problems.
Another major factor bringing about the change is the reduced movement of vehicles on roads because of the execution of work from home policies. The schools, colleges, other educational institutes as well as places of religious visits, malls and other recreations remain closed due to the lockdown situation and hence movement of people was restricted which in-turn led to the reduced emissions of toxic carbon-monoxides and nitrogen oxides.
As per an estimate, around 55 giga-tons of carbon dioxide has been produced till now which has to be brought down to net zero till the year 2050.As per the Paris Agreement, the global temperature rise this century has to be kept within 2 degree Celsius. For which, there has to be an average reduction of 7 to 8 percent of reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent. This should be brought down by improved practices in industries, transportation and not by mere shutting down.
Shutting down does-not guarantee permanent carbon reduction solution. Instead retrofitting of the currently used practices should be brought about. Sequestration of carbon can be brought about by a variety of methods which have been under research for a long time, but they have not been implemented yet. There is need of various eco-friendly methods to be adopted instead of the routine methods used time and again.
During the 2008 recession, there was a reduction of 2 degree Celsius due to the closure of factories and industrial plants. But the same increased by another 4 to 5 degree Celsius, once everything went back to normalcy. Due to which there was no net reduction achieved. However, we should not repeat this mistake again. The trend of reduction of temperature and positivity on the environmental front should be taken forward.
Covid-19 has unknowingly made us realize the dominant impact of sustainable practices. It has set an example for us as to what we would have achieved by now if we would have made sustainability a way of life. Due to the pandemic, there has been a positive effect on the health of the environment.
Humans can convert this pseudo positive impact on the environment to a real achievement by following good environmental practices while restarting their industries.
This global health crisis has led to global reduction in temperatures, reduced carbon dioxide emissions, reduction in global warming and reduction in pollution. The entire wildlife, birds, and animals have got a new lease of life as they have begun wandering freely and fearlessly in better air. It has brought about a significant improvement in the air quality. If we think the other way, we can just use this Covid-19 pandemic as an example to show us that nature if provided with proper healing and care, then earth will definitely be a much better place to live on.
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