COVID-19 is having some unexpected effects on the planet: air pollution levels are falling as more people around the world are staying@home.
Here are some interesting stats that point to at least short-term easing of carbon levels in the atmosphere.
A dramatic decline in pollution levels over China have been reduced, at least in part, due to an economic slowdown prompted by the coronavirus. The data, released by NASA states that reduction in levels of nitrogen dioxide – a noxious gas emitted by motor vehicles and industrial facilities – was first apparent near the source of the outbreak in Wuhan city.
A significant decline in the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide has also occurred in major European cities of Rome, Madrid, and Paris. These were the first cities in Europe to implement strict quarantine measures.
Scientists are using a 10-day average for reliable results.
Compared with this time last year, levels of pollution in New York have reduced by nearly 50% because of measures to contain the virus.
With global economic activity in free fall as a result of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, emissions of a variety of gases related to energy and transport have been considerably reduced. Indeed, if the trend continues, by May, 2020, levels recorded might be the lowest since the financial crisis over a decade ago.
However, many scientists are warning that these optimistic numbers do not and should not mask the emergency of the climate crisis. The global pandemic that surrounds us has underscored the importance of preventative action, which is also vital to addressing climate change.
Reference- BBC News, Bloomberg Green, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Clean Technica, European Space Agency