The Environmental Impact of COVID-19

By: Talya Ohana

In the face of a global pandemic, it is easy to be consumed by all the negativity that surrounds us. While the repercussions of the virus are largely destructive given the thousands of deaths and rapidly collapsing economy, the environment has actually been thriving for the first time in years.

With global trade disrupted, flights cancelled or cut to the bare minimum, and millions working from home, air pollution has been receding at an unprecedented rate. This rapid decrease in carbon dioxide levels has even had great positive implications on the severity of the corona virus.

With new research on COVID-19 released virtually every day, recent evidence points towards a deadly link between air pollution and the harshness to which the virus consumes the human body. Covid-19 is a respiratory illness that attacks those with underlying health conditions, including chronic respiratory illnesses. The relationship between the Coronavirus and pollution implies that long term exposure to air pollution causes many of these pre-conditioned respiratory illnesses to develop, and around 40% of respiratory tract infections are even attributed to harsh air quality. Thus, extreme air pollution places people with both respiratory ailments and pre-existing medical conditions at higher risk.

We are experiencing a surprising feedback loop with the virus causing the reduction of pollution which ends up lowering the risk of infection for people most susceptible.

Not only has air pollution dramatically waned, but unexpectedly, Venetian waters are clean again. With tourism virtually cut out completely from the Italian economy, for the first time in decades, Venice’s canals are clear. In fact, the fish have returned and dolphins are appearing in Italy’s waterways. This miraculous return is attributed to the significant decrease in boat traffic that regularly brings sediment to the top of the water’s surface, once deterring much of underwater wildlife from inhabiting the waters.

While the virus’ effects on the environment are astounding, one of the most shockingly positive impacts has occurred in New York City. Research shows that there has been a 5-10% drop in air pollutants such as carbon dioxide—a first first-time occurrence for New York.

The implications of these positive environmental and social impacts in the face of such negativity and loss of hope for many has allowed member-states party to the Paris Climate Accord to express their contentment and excitement towards involuntarily meeting their goals sooner than expected: Part of their aim includes the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 20%. This target now seems closer than ever thanks to the pandemic.