Introduction
The global outbreak of Corona virus disease is effecting every part of human lives. The environmental consequences of covid 19 impact various aspects of the planet's life , such as changes in the types of quantity of wastes , management and disposal of waste, use of energy due to varied word and life practices.It has been reported that hospitals in the US alone produces more than 5 million tonnes of waste each year of which more than a quarter is made of plastic.
Few positive impact on the environment due to lockdown like the air pollution has dramatically decreased as people were asked to stay in their houses and majority of the vehicles were inside the house and garages .The imposition of lockdown and quarantine by the different nation's government has caused people to stay back at their homes and due to this the movement of of people from one place to another has slowed down and the use of public and private transport has decreased significantly.
Likewise on the other hand, the commercial activities are at a standstill process entirely. Because of all these the noise level in most of the cities has dropped considerably.Also many beaches around the world got cleaned up and the animals were seen back in cities ,but the covid- 19 virus has also generated negative and indirect effects on the environment.
In brief the positive effects have been reduced GHG (Green House Gas ), emissions, improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, improved air quality and in some cases wildlife restoration, negative effects have been increased medical waste, haphazard disposal of PPE , increased municipal waste and reduced recycling efforts.
Positive Impacts of the Pandemic on the Environment
Reduction in Air Pollution.
1. According to WHO ,4.6 million people die each year directly due to air pollution.However after the two weeks lockdown in China ,NASA scientists monitoring pollution satellite observed a decrease in air pollution.
2. Energy related Co2 emission In India is one track with value 1.8 as per the sustainable development goals report 2020.
3. In India, apart from Co2 emission, participate matter concentration PM 2.5 has been increasing thus not keeping in check with sustainable development goals as per the report published in the year 2020.
The wildlife is Flourishing
1. The intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) predicted a 1.5 degree Celsius average rise in atmospheric temperature may place 20-30% of species in jeopardy of extinction.
2. Along the Eastern coast of Orissa, India around 4,750000 endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle have laid 60 million. Lagoons in Albania have witnessed an increase in flamingos.
3. In India, species survival as per red list index is decreasing and hence becoming an environmental concern as per sustainable development goals report 2020.
Decreasing Demand for Oil
1. Due to decrease in fuel demands for factories and travel their has been a sharp decline by 4,35,000 barrels a day in the first quarter of 2020 due to the Pandemic.
2. As combustion of fossil fuels is one of the leading cause of pollution ; this decrease is a positive sign for the environment.
3. Oil pollution also harms animals and insects , disrupts the food chain and prevents photosynthesis in plants.
Impact of declined Global Fishing on Marine Life
1. Since March 11, when the world health organisation declared covid-19 a Pandemic, global fishing activity has been down by nearly 10% compared to 2018-19 average, according to a new estimate and in same places, the decline has been much greater.
2. The covid 19 outbreak has other unintended consequences such as consumers purchasing more on non perishable goods to stock up pantries increasing demand in canned tuna and herring . These activities will increase the risk of overfishing in poorly managed fisheries.
3. In India , the percentage of fish caught by trawling has been stagnating and not meeting sustainable development goals as per the report published in 2020.
Negative Impact of the Pandemic on the Environment
Energy Resources
1. In the global energy system coal stands one of the major fuels accounting for up to 40% of the electricity generation. The global coal production was estimated to have increased by 2.7% in 2018 with the annual production of 8.1 billion tonnes in 2019. The increase was mainly driven by 3 major coal producing countries such as China , India and Australia, which together account for 70% of the global production. Owing to the Corona virus lockdown, global output is expected to increase by 0.5 % in 2020. However due to continuing lockdown and other government policies during the ongoing covid 19 Pandemic, the global coal market is likely to fall from $816.5 billion in 2019 to $722.8 billion in 2020 . The significant decline in global output in mainly because of the economic slowdown across the countries caused by the global lockdown to stem the spreading of the covid 19 Pandemic.
Ecosystem at risk- illegal deforestation, fishing and wildlife
1. Environmental protection workers at national parks , land, marine conservation zones were required to stay at home during lockdown resulting in living these areas unmonitored.
2. The decline in ecotourism activity has led to an increase in unemployment in the regions frequented by tourists hence,to manage their income, there has been a rise in illegal deforestation, fishing and wildlife hunting.
3. In Namibia, 10 years of conservation work is at risk with animals being poached outside their natural habitats by people in the tourism industry which accounts for 16% of the total employment.
Increasing Non- Recyclable Waste
1. With increasing home deliveries during the lockdown, meals and online shopping surged which requires a lot of plastic packaging.
2. Due to an increase in health concerns food retailers have resumed using single use plastic bags at checkout points instead of reusable paper bags which was slowly becoming a norms before the Pandemic.
3. Production and disposal of surgical mask gloves, protective equipment and body bags have increased due to covid-19 crisis but all the waste generated ends up adding on the landfills and environment.
4. On average, 8 million tonnes of plastic trash that is 30 times as heavy as the statue of liberty, leaks into the ocean annually and this rate is getting worse every passing year.
Conclusion
There are positive indications from all over the world that COVID-19-induced lockdown is improving environmental conditions including air and water quality. This recovery of lost environment is an indicator that the environmental degradation caused by human is reversible. In a period of just 12-15 months, recovery of nature is being witnessed by everyone. This is a signal for us to understand and react. Government and policy makers must take necessary steps so that this healing process does not become a temporary one. There is a need for rigorous study on the effect of implementation of such short term lockdown as an alternative measure for pollution reduction and its effect on economy.
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