The impact of COVID-19 on the environment

Across the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has threatened and claimed lives, shaking the world economy. Even with talks of easing back into normalcy, the threat of a second wave is too great that some are still considering staying home until a solid solution comes up.

While COVID-19 has a devastating impact on families, the workforce, and the economy, some say there is a silver lining. In China, scientists have recorded a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. As the pandemic spread from China to other countries, the trend continued. James Haidak shares that as local governments implement city-wide lockdowns, pollution has lessened, causing skies and rivers to heal.

The prohibitions on travel and business are making a positive impact on the environment across the globe. NASA confirmed that the economic slowdown partly caused the good news. A sharp dip in carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels is heading to a 5% annual drop, a record the world has been wanting to see. The decline was specifically significant in China, the U.S., and Europe.

The positive influence of COVID-19 on the environment could have been a regular occurrence should environment policies had been this inflexible back in the '70s, says James Haidak. Good news is always welcome, but the planet requires more emission cuts. How people would react to easing back into normalcy will determine how well the planet will fare after the pandemic. COVID-19 has made it evident that climate change is not a planetary problem, but a human issue.

James Haidakblog.