Commentaries | Ancheta

HOW COVID-19 PANDEMIC CHANGE THE WORLD?

by Arlee Jhon Ancheta

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread over the globe, endangering lives and disrupting cities and nations' economies, it also had a significant impact on the environment. The world's way of life has changed massively in only a few months.

5 Positive Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic

1. Reduction of Air Pollution

According to the World Health Organization, 4.6 million people die each year as a direct result of air pollution. However, there was a 25% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and a 40% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions.

The reduction in road traffic, air traffic, and manufacturing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), ozone, and particle matter helped to enhance air quality. NO2 concentrations have fallen in numerous Italian cities during the shutdown, according to EEA data from recent weeks

Furthermore, NASA scientists monitoring pollution satellites detected a drop in air pollution during China's two-week shutdown. During the self-isolation period in Italy, similar developments were noted.

In addition, According to the SDG report 2020, India's energy-related CO2 emissions are on track to reach a value of 1.8. Apart from CO2 emissions, particulate matter concentration PM2.5 has been rising in India, indicating that the country is falling short of the SDG targets, according to a research published in 2020.

2. Reduction of Water Pollution

During the lockdown period, the major industrial sources of pollution have shrunk or completely stopped, which helped to reduce the pollution load (Yunus et al., 2020).

Because the bulk of companies has lowered their activity, the industrial sector's water use has dropped by 20-30%.

Hotels and fitness clubs are also not operating at full capacity, resulting in a decrease in water use. People are significantly more efficient with water at home than at hotels and resorts, according to research.

Aside from reduced water usage, the water quality in the canals of Venice, Italy, has improved dramatically, resulting in dolphin sightings for the first time in 60 years due to reduced pollution.

3. The Wildlife is Flourishing

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a 1.5°C increase in average air temperatures might put 20-30% of species at threat of extinction.

Coral reefs are expected to collapse by another 70–90 percent as a result of rising temperatures, with just 10% of rainforests left by 2030.

Such instances were reported the world over: Wild animals took back what was once theirs, as people were forced to stay home.

While Sambar deer wandered on the roads in Chandigarh, a small Indian civet was spotted on a zebra-crossing in Kerala.

A herd of spotted deer explored the streets of Haridwar without the fear of being killed by moving vehicles.

There was an increase in the number of flamingoes congregating in Mumbai, according to news reports.

It seemed wild animals took pride in allowing city folks to glorify their appearances.

The now pristine beaches across the country’s coastline became hatching grounds for tiny Olive Ridley turtles, while critically endangered Ganges dolphins made a return to the ghats of Kolkata.

4. Decreasing Demand for Oil

Due to the pandemic, there was a substantial decline of 435,000 barrels per day in the first quarter of 2020, due to lower fuel consumption for manufacturing and transport.

July 2021, the IEA estimated a demand dip of 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) and anticipated growth would be half a million bpd lower in the second half of the year than in the first, with some modifications due to data revisions.

This reduction is good news for the environment because fossil fuel burning is one of the primary causes of pollution.

Animals and insects are also harmed by oil pollution, which interrupts the food chain and hinders plants from photosynthesis.

Aside from the impact on animals, oil pollution may make irrigation water unfit for use and harm irrigation plants.

5. The Vegetation is Growing Better

Plants are exposed to higher air quality and pure water as a result of less human involvement.

Plants can grow and collect healthy produce because the quantity of oxygen and other nutrients necessary for their growth are not contaminated, which is critical for strengthening the planet's food cycle.