7 ways the planet is healing, thanks to global lockdown
From air pollution levels plummeting to the canals in Venice clearing up
Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Can Help Heal our Earth and Protect Society Moving into the Future
This month, as we continue to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic, we also must raise our eyes to the horizon and reflect on lessons learned and future challenges.
Stephen Smith | April 22, 2020 | Climate Change, Energy Policy
Today marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, which also coincides with the 10th Anniversary of the disastrous Deepwater Horizon oil spill – but what is front and center in most people’s mind is that here in the United States we are in a massive experiment – one where we have largely shut down our economy in order control a pandemic that has hit our country hard, and for which we were not well prepared. We are now navigating a world very different from what we are accustomed to as we face universal upheaval as COVID-19 disrupts every corner of the globe and every aspect of modern life.
How the Coronavirus Is (and Is Not) Affecting the Environment
March 5th, 2020 by Kasha Patel | Earth Observatory
The coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic is first and foremost an issue of human health and safety. But as people have changed their everyday behaviors and patterns to contain or avoid the virus, there have been some subtle effects on the environment. There also has been misinformation. Below are four ways the virus is—and is not—affecting the environment in China.
1. Satellites found decreases in one air pollutant, but that doesn’t mean the air is free of all pollution.
2. During the quarantine, roads and transportation hubs are emptier.
3. Coal and oil industrial activities have dropped, so carbon dioxide emissions have also decreased.
4. There is no evidence that cremation ashes are increasing the levels of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere.