Normally articles specific to a disease or phenomenon or anything to do with science really, start out with an introduction with respect to it, but with covid, well… I doubt we’ll be needing any. It’s probably become one of the most widely used words in our lives, my family for one cannot go more than 3 hours without mentioning it. There have been a myriad of effects from slowing the economy to negatively impacting mental health, the list goes on, and while these impacts have been thrust to the forefront, receiving maximum media coverage, a less-discussed impact is one on the environment, not as visible, but important nonetheless. Let’s take a look at the impact of covid-19 on the environment, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
It’s hard to even imagine putting ‘good’ and ‘covid19’ in the same sentence, however, while the pandemic has been beyond unkind for humans it has in fact favored the environment in ways that would have been difficult to encompass in the pre-pandemic world, and it’s time we try to see whatever positivity the pandemic has brought.
Primarily wildlife has reaped the most benefits, it’s not difficult to see why considering that there were nationwide lockdowns established in various countries as a result of which most travels was suspended, Poland has become the most powerful example of this. Several deaths of wild animals are attributed to reckless driving, studies recently revealed in Poland due to the ongoing pandemic, hedgehog roadkill rates dropped by a massive 50%. Another study specializing in roadkill rates that spanned across 11 countries revealed that roadkill rates were down by 40%. Along with road and air travel, shipping for tourism (we all know about the cruise in Japan fiasco), aquaculture, etc, have all taken a backseat. It is believed that maritime trade fell by an estimated 4.1% by the end of 2020, whereas container trade by 10%. The decline in ships traveling through the world’s waterways has reduced the risk of these vessels injuring marine life.
Reduced travel: Transport has become one of the biggest challenges posed to the modern world as a result of the pandemic, with flights suspended and lockdowns imposed for several weeks, several transports services have found themselves inching towards bankruptcy. And while the negative impacts are in plethora there are positive impacts that have been very beneficial to our earth. There has been a decline in the energy consumption in the transport sector, with a sharp 90% decline in energy demands in air transport followed by an 80% decline in the public transport sector in Europe. The number of cars traveling on roads fell by 73% in Britain. Working from home has reduced emissions that would have been released as a result of daily transport by vehicles. Traffic congestion has dropped as well, with a 50% decline in some of the world’s busiest cities like Los Angeles and New York. As a result, New York saw a 50% drop in CO levels while Madrid saw a 75% decrease in the average level of No2 in March of 2020.
World trade and air travel:- The WTO reported a 13-32% decline in world trade. Taking into account that 80% of world trade is overlooked by the maritime industry, the drop in world trade will also reduce human activity marine activity. A reduction in traveling boats in the canals of Venice allowed the water to clear up. Attributing to the fact that airlines are a significant ally to covid-19 in terms of spreading it worldwide, world governments have seen fit to suspend most air travel, and while your dream vacation has been put on hold, air quality has improved significantly. In March 2020 air travel decreased by 50% in the middle east, the US, and the European continent, as a result CO and NO2 emissions fell. Air travel was decreased to an unbelievable 0% in February of 2020, having a profound impact on world CO and NO2 levels.
Air pollution: Reduction in Air pollution is a recurring positive impact, with many of the previous points covered linking to it. Air pollution results in 7 million deaths annually exposure to NO2 itself results in 4 million pediatric asthma cases, it’s safe to say that it poses a major risk to the health or people of all ages. Suspension, of transport and several factories, has greatly reduced air pollution, even China’s heavily industrialized zones showed a 40% drop in NO2 concentrations following a lockdown in Wuhan. Study’s show that in several countries including the USA, China, South Korea, and Italy emissions were down by 20-40%. However, this change wasn’t seen all over, in Iran which was hit particularly hard during the pandemic there were no changes observed in NO2 concentrations, a possible theory for this is the fact that a complete lockdown was imposed only towards the end of March. Lockdowns have also boosted ozone levels in urban areas. The pandemic, especially in its initial phase reduced the amount of polluting gases greatly, and lead to a boost in ozone levels, albeit it affected the economy adversely it has shown us that it is possible to slow down our emissions in short periods of time.
It isn’t all sunshine and rainbows though, the pandemic has definitely seen a decline in human impact on the environment, but the fact remains that once we resume normal activities these changes are likely to be reversed. And the decline in human impact on the environment needs to be over a far longer period than we realize. For example, it would take 10-15 years of reduced, sustainable fishing to allow the Earth’s fish populations to recover.
Wildlife Studies reveal that as a result of a drop in human activity, due to lockdowns, the work of conservation and organizations responsible for law enforcement that care for wildlife has reduced considerably. This is a trend seen worldwide, as staff that looks after wildlife in sanctuaries, parks, preserves, and other areas are unable to perform their activities, there is a possibility of a spike in illegal killing and poaching of animals. Economic hardship is one of the most visible impacts of the pandemic and experts suggest that in low-income countries this could result in the exploitation of natural resources.
Pollution due to a surge in biomedical and plastic waste: Single-use masks and gloves, PPE equipment and sanitizers are essential in ensuring the safety of the front-line workers. Amidst a storm of increasing fear, single-use plastic factories are taking full advantage, in what was an otherwise diminishing industry. A surge in the use of single-use plastic is very likely in the near future. Even grocery stores that once promoted using reusable bags are now encouraging customers to not reuse bags in fear of contracting covid-19. Swiggy has probably become one of your most-used apps during quarantine and has found a seat in your Siri app suggestions, but an increase in online ordering of food has resulted in an increase in the use of plastic. World plastic pollution has increased as a result of the pandemic. Biomedical waste is on the rise across the world as the virus reigns supreme, India is producing 550 tonnes of biomedical waste annually, while Wuhan has produced an additional 240 tonnes of biomedical waste during the pandemic. As treatment centers become overwhelmed by the amount of waste, there is a possibility of neglect in terms of properly treating the waste before disposal, which may, in turn, lead to a spread of diseases amongst animals that come near it.
Impacts on the ecosystem: The ecosystem is well, a “system” and each part affects the other. With a sudden hype in washing hands with soap, mass disinfection carried out by world governments, and increased production of plastics containing BPA, the soil and water quality are bound to suffer. Alcohol-containing products, when in the water cause harm to aquatic life as well, if dropped in the ground they may contaminate groundwater. Soaps are a well-known form of detergents, discharged detergents cause the foam to build up in water bodies. Soap can also hinder the growth of algae and other such life forms. The foam will later pollute rivers and oceans and will lead to consequences.
The environment has always been taken for granted, it’s provided us with everything we needed for our survival. Although the pandemic has been everything but a blessing for mankind it may be one for the Earth as a whole, perhaps the first mile on its road to recovery.
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