COVID-19 and the Environment

Amidst these hectic times, many are grasping for comfort and a sense of relief. The idea that social distancing is healing the environment is a popular one -- a sense of security comes from knowing that with humans more or less removed from the equation, nature can patch up our misdoings. While it is true that air pollution has dropped exponentially and the ozone layer has recovered partially in areas, there is another side to the story. For the next period, as people search for good news, there will be bad news, too. Climate change tops it all, but we are not yet acting with the needed urgency to prevent the long term damage to our world. 

While it is quite apparent that COVID-19 is a massive problem impacting many, there are more broad problems that also deserve our attention. COVID-19 is currently in the media's eye and all of society, but thinking of the environment as a separate and less pressing issue is a fatal mistake. An article listing concerns about how COVID-19 relates to the environment states, "Fine particulate matter air pollution… has been associated with an increased risk of respiratory disease… York residents found that higher particulate matter air pollution levels increased the chances of hospitalization for pneumonia and emergency department visits, especially for influenza." (Ann Am Thorac Soc.). The increase of pollutants in the air can weaken the whole respiratory system, causing viruses, including Corona and influenza, to infect massive amounts of people. Not only that, but the improved carbon emissions are so minuscule that if not acted on now, they will be extremely short-lived. To add on to this, Andrea Dutton (climate scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison) states, "In terms of direct, physical impacts, yes we're seeing a slowdown in some emissions. But of course, what matters is cumulative emissions. If it's short-lived, it's not touching the tip of the iceberg." To protect ourselves, we must begin to protect the environment. 

Despite carbon emissions and general air pollution being reduced more in the past seven months than it has in the last 70 years, other issues such as deforestation and the disturbance of ecosystems can bring on a wave of issues we aren't ready to take. To elaborate, Edward Barbier (professor at Colorado State University) says, "When you exploit, trade and consume wildlife, then you come more in contact with them...Not only are we impacting rural livelihoods of local communities by destroying tropical forests and other ecosystems, but we're also actually increasing possibly the risk of future disease transmission from wildlife to people." By placing our primary focus on COVID-19 and neglecting the environment, we may be bringing on another global tragedy. Considering the current conditions of public health and the planet, we can't afford to bring on more problems for ourselves or the environment. Balancing COVID-19 and the disruption of the environment, we may be walking in the opposite direction of the logical solution. We are creating more problems than we can handle amidst these times. In an article titled "The COVID-19 pandemic is not a break for nature – let's make sure there is one after the crisis", it is stated that, "A more 'overwhelming problem' comes from people taking advantage of governments focusing on COVID-19 and not protecting remote tropical areas from illegal activity such as mining". 

We have bitten off more than we can chew with environmental issues and industrial advancement. The destruction of the planet is leading to our downfall, and COVID-19 is just the beginning. If we don't act fast, our actions will become irreversible. The purpose of bringing climate change into the media's eye is not to add another burden to these times but to bring our attention to the root of the problem. If everyone can do their part, as well as advocate for the environment, we can mobilize change and prioritize global health. The power is the people, and the time is now.

Bibliography

Croft, Daniel P, et al. “The Association between Respiratory Infection and Air Pollution in the Setting of Air Quality Policy and Economic Change.” Annals of the American Thoracic Society, American Thoracic Society, 16 Mar. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6394122/.

Shen, Photograph by Qilai. “Carbon Emissions Are Falling Sharply Due to Coronavirus. But Not for Long.” National Geographic, 8 May 2020, www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/04/coronavirus-causing-carbon-emissions-to-fall-but-not-for-long/.

Written by Sebastian Troëng, Executive Vice President. “COVID-19 Is Not a Break for Nature – Let's Make Sure There Is One after the Crisis.” World Economic Forum, 21 May 2020, www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/05/covid-19-coronavirus-pandemic-nature-environment-green-stimulus-biodiversity/.

Young, Robin, and Allison Hagan. “No, The COVID-19 Pandemic Is Not Saving The Environment.” No, The COVID-19 Pandemic Is Not Saving The Environment | Here & Now, WBUR, 18 June 2020, www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/06/18/covid-19-environment-climate-change.