When the world decided to shut down while the pandemic was at its peak, we saw a gradual improvement in our environment.
It is disappointing to see how humans have to go through such a calamity to learn how they are affecting the environment. If humans limit their movement then we can hope to see a positive outcome and to have a healthy environment.
We have seen a huge difference in environment between, during, and after lockdown. The effects of the environment are discussed in detail in the article:
Air pollution
Air pollution has long been one of the most severe forms of environmental damage. Figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that air pollution kills seven million people across the world every year. It is one of the top silent killers present in the environment, and we are responsible for it.
When the pandemic hits, the only solution to control is minimal interactions with other human beings, which means imposing a lockdown. Lockdown severly affected people going out for work, schools and limited air travel to none. Limiting air travel resulted in less or no air traffic, which caused air pollution to revive and heal.
According to the International Energy Agency, moderate activity on the world’s roads fell by almost 50% compared with 2019. That affected the environment in a positive way, showing a downhill of fuel combustion emissions from vehicles. The same goes for road travel; since schools, universities, and offices were practicing remote studies and work, there was little to no car travel.
Dramatic cuts in primary emissions seem to have triggered severe air pollution events. For example, in northern China and in the Los Angeles area, the strict lockdown periods saw unusually intense ozone spikes.
This can be done regularly if we take notes on how we can contribute to the environment. Some environmental companies have designed technologies to control carbon emissions from vehicles. An Active – Intercooler is a mechanical device to cool down fluids and gasses after compression. It is used as air to air and the water cooler for an automobile’s turbocharged and supercharged internal engine combustion. Getting the air temperatures down raises the air density in the combustion chamber, offering the ability to significantly increase engine power output by squeezing air and fuel in the same volume of space.
Water pollution
As we have seen, the graph goes down for air pollution, the results were shown for water pollution. When the world went into lockdown, consequently the import and the export across the globe slowed down.
PCA (Principal component analysis) showed that the complete lockdown of industrial activities helped lower heavy metal concentration in river water. The minimized action across the sea resulted in fewer cargo ships and fishery business traffic. Less waste was collected, and there was a decline in oil spills as well. In addition to this, statistical analysis showed a much lower mean concentration level of water pollutants during the lockdown phase.
To compare the results better, three stages of water samples were taken, i.e. before lockdown, during the lockdown, and after lockdown. An immense change was witnessed during the lockdown and after lockdown statistics. As unfortunate as it seems, people going into lockdown helped the environment positively. Does it always have to be like this?
Do humans have to go through lockdown in order for environmental sustainability.
It’s a very vast statement to say as humans are the main culprits of the environment and save it as well. It’s a sad reality to see people going into lockdown, and we see drastic positive changes in the background. There should be a balance between using intelligent technologies to make full use of the environmental resources and, at the same time, not damaging roots.
There are a few green technologies an individual can make full use of
Solar panels
Saving energy to the maximum can help the environment, and it’s a step towards a green future.
Waste management
Is just as simple as disposing of your trash properly. Recycling it as labeled biodegradable and not dumping it anywhere.
Water pollution
It can also be avoided if we dispose of plastic into the sea and other non-biodegradable belongings.
Conclusion
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lockdown strategies offer a meaningful message to all the countries worldwide for restoring environment and natural ecosystem stability. The effect of the pandemic has taught us we can still live in a better environment if we use our resources effectively. The pandemic era has left us with improved air, water, and land environments.