Sarina Simpson

Amid the global crisis of COVID-19, a positive impact of social distancing is emerging. An abundance of posts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are depicting a worldwide change in our environment. Air quality is improving, bodies of water look cleaner, and wild animals are taking advantage of the lack of human activity. Although the reactions to these events are mostly positive, will they leave a lasting impact once social distancing is lifted?

When looking at humanity’s historical reactions to events like recessions and epidemics that reduced carbon emissions, we have temporarily, “‘made tweaks’ in emissions, but haven’t changed the overall upward trend” (Jacobo, 2020). In particular, the financial recession of 2008 resulted in a decrease in emissions, however, “this quickly rebounded by 2010 as the economy recovered, leading to an all-time high” (Henriques 2020). When consulting information about past human behavior, we see that it is likely that humans will not make changes in their behavior that will lead to better air and water quality like flying less, carpooling more, eating less meat, etc.There is one step, however, that we will likely take that will benefit our environment. 

Disease outbreaks have been rising in recent years, and coronavirus is just one among the 75% that emerged from wildlife. This has been caused by “destruction of the natural world for farming, mining and housing that drives wildlife into contact with people” (Carrington, 2020). UN Environment Chief Ingel and Anderson and others like Professor Andrew Cunningmham are warning governments that “it is almost always human behavior that causes this and there will be more in the future unless we change” (Carrington, 2020). China has already banned wet markets, and it is likely that other counties will not only follow suit, but will also increase criminal sanctions and enforce regulations on the illegal wildlife trade while reducing habitat destruction. Due to the fact that putting distance between us and wildlife will directly benefit humanity through prevention of disease, habitat destruction will most likely be the only environmental factor addressed due to the impacts of coronavirus, as many find it easy to dismiss issues like global warming until it is too late.  

Although this may be the only reaction to environmental changes brought on by COVID-19, we should do much more. Many will likely be discouraged by the fact that the current reduction in emissions “is not enough to mitigate climate change and the dangers that come with it”, but more than anything this should motivate us to take action (Jacobo 2020). One can only imagine how beautiful and clean our world and its resources would be if we are seeing changes within only a few months of reduced emissions, even if they are not drastic. Where do we start? Well, the stock market falling will not produce sustainable changes in the environment, and it is “precisely the opposite of the drive towards a decarbonised, sustainable economy that many have advocated for” (Henriques 2020). We should use the monumental changes that we are seeing in such a short period of time, however, to motivate us to push towards an economy that supports environmental protection by encouraging governments to “focus on making sustainable cuts in cumulative emissions that have been building since the Industrial Revolution” (Jacobo 2020). We should push for governments to allocate money and resources towards decarbonizing the economy and using renewable energy sources that will allow us to thrive economically while preserving the environment. Leaders of countries and citizens should “take the opportunity of this lockdown to reflect and to see how we can be more organised in the future to find a balance between the environment and economic industries like tourism” (Child 2020). 

Aside from pushing for government regulations, we should all focus most on transport and diet, as those are the two main factors driving carbon emissions. Going on ‘flight diets’, driving less, and eating less products that are produced by factory farming   should be done on an individual level to improve air and water quality for the long-term.  

I sincerely hope that effects of reduced emissions that are surfacing around the globe propel government action and worldwide support of environmental protection. If not, we will be the cause of our own demise. 

Works Cited

Jacobo, Julia. “How Coronavirus Impacts Climate Change With Emission Reductions.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 5 Mar. 2020, abcnews.go.com/International/severe-reduction-emissions-coronavirus-mitigate-climate-change-long/story?id=69334246.

Henriques, Martha. “Will Covid-19 Have a Lasting Impact on the Environment?” BBC Future, BBC, 27 Mar. 2020, www.bbc.com/future/article/20200326-covid-19-the-impact-of-coronavirus-on-the-environment.

Carrington, Damian. “Coronavirus: ‘Nature Is Sending Us a Message’, Says UN Environment Chief.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 25 Mar. 2020, www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/25/coronavirus-nature-is-sending-us-a-message-says-un-environment-chief.


Child, David. “Positive Impacts on the Environment since Coronavirus Lockdown Began.” Evening Standard, 14 Apr. 2020, http://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/positive-impact-environment-coronavirus-lockdown-a4404751.html.