The effect of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has reduced daily carbon emissions by 17 percent, the same amount pumped out in 2006, a research revealed.
According to the data published at Nature Climate Change journal, most of the cuts in carbon dioxide (CO2) came from manufacturing, power generation, aviation, and transportation and shipping sectors.
This reduction was a result of nations closing down borders, enforcing lockdowns, and temporarily shutting down businesses as preventive measures against the disease. Scientists and environmentalists believe these solutions alone are not enough to solve pollution for good unless governments create long-lasting strategies on how societies operate—even after the pandemic.
The study added that “social responses alone would not drive the deep and sustained reductions needed” as the reduction in carbon emissions is only temporary due to COVID-19. Once lockdowns are eased, and businesses reopen pollution will return perhaps even worse than before, researchers claim.
In a forecast by the International Energy Agency, if the level of carbon emissions returns to where it was before the outbreak by June, the pollution will only be reduced by 4 percent. If the same restrictions remain until the end of the year, researchers believe the pollution will be reduced by 7 percent—which they said can do a whole lot.
Scientists and environmentalists are calling on governments to take advantage of the crisis to think of ways to act on climate change. The study noted that they must lead the shift to long-lasting lifestyle practices to avert another global disaster caused by climate change.
