The Good, the Bad, and the Disastrous: COVID19 and the climate emergency
Its month ten since the human race had announced a global lockdown in a desperate attempt to keep COVID19 from entering our homes and our bodies; through this period of extreme uncertainty and the governments’ go-to method of tackling the virus with blunt swords and dented shields, many of us have overlooked the impacts of the pandemic — whether good or bad- on the climate emergency we have been facing so unenthusiastically for the last half-century. Whilst there are many impacts, a lot of them quite visible, in fact, of the pandemic on the climate crisis, many of these are still unknown to the public, or even people who are actively concerned about the climate. This article has compiled a list of the Good, the Bad, and the Disastrous impacts COVID19 has had on the climate emergency. When you’re done reading, do the Earth a favour — recycle something that you would have otherwise thrown in the bin. It’s one small step for you, but one giant leap for mankind.
The Good
Number one: The global lockdown has resulted in less carbon emissions.
The transportation sector alone exhibits 23% of the global carbon dioxide emissions — 11% of this is singularly down to air travel. With many governments across the world having had set down lockdowns in their respective countries, work from home policies and non-emergency movement outside being prohibited, much less transport-induced greenhouse gas emissions have been observed. With the realisation of how effective remote working can be, it’s a hope that it can become much more common in the future — and, through increased frequency, result in less transport-induced greenhouse gas release.
Number two: governments go for greener goals.
Quite a few governments have taken the decision to invest in greener solutions to combat the climate crisis. France aims to become the continent’s main electric car producer — its injecting £6.8 billion to help achieve this aim, as well dangling a few carrots to its citizens in order to entice them into swapping their high-emission vehicles to eco-friendlier alternatives. Its neighbour, Germany, has enhanced development of greener alternatives, squeezed down the price of clean energy, and invested in sustainable forest management and crop production. Meanwhile in Asia, South Korea has reached the record book to be the first country in East Asia to pledge for net-zero carbon in thirty years’ time. They plan to do this by investing in renewable energy and train those whose jobs are negatively affected by the energy transition.
Number three: Less consumerism, less carbon dioxide.
Its no surprise that due to lockdown, many of us can now write a twenty-page dissertation on how the four walls of our houses look like; but with more time spent at home, many of us have adopted an alternate lifestyle. The cooking craze that has consumed most of us has led to less takeout plastic; shops with their shutters down has led to less consumerist sales and thus less energy wastage; and even you refusing to wash everyday has saved many litres of water. And though we’ve all grumbled at the extortionate meat prices, this too has helped to reduce carbon emissions.
Number four: Value and faith has been restored.
With more of us going to the parks and taking walks to get some exercise, this has fostered a new love for our environment, which is essential to convey why we need to save it.
The pandemic has taught us many things, but the biggest lesson of all is how imperative science, and trusting scientific findings, is to human sustenance and wellbeing. Our faith in science has been demanded by COVID19, and hopefully this faith will start to translate into the climate crisis.
The Bad
Number one: Negotiations for greener goals have been delayed.
The Convention on Biological Diversity which had plans to formulate new global precepts that safeguard flora and fauna from events such as climate change has been delayed to 2021. A conference to complete the High Seas Treaty that looks at the sustainability of biodiversity present in the ocean systems has also been delayed. With many dates being pushed back, it’s a possibility that governing bodies also push their climate response down their priority list.
Number two: More disposables lead to more non-disposable waste.
If there’s one thing we have purchased more than ever (aside from toilet rolls) its disposable PPEs (personal protection equipment). Things like masks, latex gloves and disposable takeout is in literally everyone’s shopping basket; and, for things made of plastic, these items take thousands of years to break down, so have effectively ended up cluttering our planet more now than ever before.
The Disastrous
Number one: Environmental measures are weakening — COVID19 is the primary excuse.
Many governing bodies are lowering their environmental standards because of COVID19. The US government is considering providing an economic stimulus to enhance carbon-intensive industries such as aviation and cruise ships. Executive orders such as the those that give agencies the liberty to waive environmental considerations for development projects in order to revive the country’s economy are also being actioned. This further erodes the urgency of the climate crisis, using the pandemic as a convenient excuse.
Number two: Less attention to environment protection.
As countries continue to concentrate fully on controlling coronavirus, areas of land that that need protecting are being neglected. The Amazon rainforest has become subject to illegal loggers, thus degrading one of the world’s largest carbon sinks.
It’s quite clear that coronavirus hasn’t just affected humans, but also the environment, for better and for worse. Though these effects, whilst one or two may be permanent, are temporary effects. We as a race have faced the climate crisis half-heartedly for the last half-century. Perhaps the pandemic will give us a chance to restart how we give and take from the Earth’s resources, but with a greener system in mind.
