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Carson Bell

COVID-19 and Carbon Emissions

People are living in unprecedented times amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Global financial markets are just starting to recover from recent shocks, domestic and international travel is at a virtual standstill, and everyday life for billions of people across the globe is vastly different from just one month ago. Everyone keeps telling themselves that they just want things back to normal, but never ask the question: is normal always better?


Slowed Carbon Emissions


With millions stuck at home, the global climate has experienced very unfamiliar conditions. According to a forecast from the Global Carbon Project, carbon emissions are projected to decrease by around 5% in 2020, a drop unseen since World War II. In New York City, researchers reported an estimated 50% reduction in the total amount of emitted carbon monoxide this year. In fact, communities in India plagued by excessive industrial activity were even recently able to experience blue, unpolluted skies, for the first time in years.


With reduced road transportation, air travel, and factory production, humans have accidentally taken a step forward in limiting greenhouse gasses and the carbon footprint that is left behind.


What’s Next


Even with this reduction in human-led pollution, such events are only temporary. Scientists are referring to this phenomenon as an “artificial halt”, meaning it holds no long term bearing in effectively changing our global climate. Lars Peter Riishojgaard, from the infrastructure department of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), noted that while in the short term, carbon dioxide emissions would go down, "we expect the impact will be fairly short-lived."


While it is unfeasible to maintain such limited industrial and personal activity, many are considering COVID-19 as an important lesson for countries around the world. They argue that climate change is not much different than a pandemic and that the global response of COVID-19 shows if enough necessity is put on an issue, drastic and successful measures can be put in place. Due to COVID-19’s devastating effects, we all wish to return to normalcy, but one unexpected benefit that should not be left behind, but rather be made the new normal is our reduced carbon output.


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