Coronavirus and climate change: Will lockdown measures have a long-term impact? - BBC World Service

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a temporary reduction in global carbon emissions due to lockdowns and reduced industrial activity. Cities like New York and countries such as China have seen significant drops in emissions, with cleaner air quality as a result. However, this decrease is likely to be short-lived as economies recover and activities resume. The pandemic also poses challenges for climate research and international climate conferences. On a positive note, it has sparked discussions on long-term emission reduction strategies and the potential for societal changes that could help address the climate crisis.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The coronavirus pandemic has led to a significant reduction in global emissions due to lockdowns and reduced travel and industrial activities.
• 📉 In New York, greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, have dropped by 5-10%.
• 🇨🇳 In China, emissions fell by about 25% at the start of the year, with a significant decrease in coal usage in the power industry.
• 🛫 The reduction in flights has contributed to lower carbon emissions, as flying is one of the fastest ways to heat the climate.
• 🚗 The lockdowns have affected transportation, which accounts for nearly a quarter of carbon emissions globally.
• 🏭 Industrial closures have also contributed to the drop in emissions, as industry is responsible for nearly a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• 🌳 The temporary dip in emissions might not have a long-term effect on the environment and climate change, as seen in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.
• 🌡️ Satellite images from Europe show a reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions over northern Italy, which can cause respiratory diseases and acid rain.
• 📈 The economic impact of the pandemic has led to job losses and a decrease in oil consumption, improving air quality in many cities.
• 🔄 The recovery from the pandemic could lead to a rebound in emissions, as seen after the 2008 crisis, with countries ramping up their economies.
• 🌱 Despite the negative impacts, the pandemic offers an opportunity to rethink commuting and food waste, potentially leading to long-term emission reductions.
• 🌍 The crisis has highlighted the community's willingness to make changes and sacrifices for public health, which could be harnessed to tackle the climate crisis.

Q & A

How has the Coronavirus pandemic affected global emissions?

The Coronavirus pandemic has led to a significant reduction in global emissions due to lockdowns, reduced travel, and the closure of industries. This has resulted in a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

What percentage decrease in carbon dioxide emissions has been observed in New York?

In New York, emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide have decreased by five to ten percent.

What was the initial impact of the pandemic on China's emissions?

At the start of the year, China experienced a decrease in emissions by about 25 percent, and the use of coal in the country's power industries significantly dropped.

How have emissions of nitrogen dioxide in northern Italy changed due to the pandemic?

Satellite images have shown a fading away of nitrogen dioxide emissions over northern Italy, which can cause respiratory disease and acid rain.

What is the reason behind the reduction in emissions from the transportation sector?

Government-imposed lockdowns have led to a significant decrease in travel, as people are not moving around as much as they used to, resulting in fewer planes in the sky and reduced emissions.

How does the closure of industries contribute to the drop in emissions?

Many factories and businesses have closed, leading to a reduction in their carbon emissions, which constitute nearly a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the estimated global reduction in oil consumption due to the pandemic?

It is quite likely that more than 10% of total oil consumption globally has been wiped out due to the pandemic.

What is the expected long-term effect of the pandemic on carbon emissions according to researchers?

Researchers predict that after accounting for recovery from the pandemic, there might be a dip of around 0.3 percent in carbon emissions for the year 2020.

How did the 2008 global financial crisis affect emissions, and what can we learn from it?

The 2008 global financial crisis caused a temporary drop in emissions, but many countries increased their carbon emissions again as they tried to stimulate their economies, which could be a lesson for the post-pandemic recovery.

What are the potential negative impacts of the pandemic on climate efforts?

The pandemic has led to the cancellation of major climate conferences, and climate scientists are concerned about their ability to collect necessary data for their research.

What positive changes might come out of the pandemic in terms of environmental impact?

The pandemic could lead to long-term reductions in emissions if it changes behaviors such as commuting and food waste, and it has shown that communities are capable of making significant changes when necessary.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Impact of Coronavirus on the Environment

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant reduction in global carbon emissions due to lockdowns and decreased industrial activity. Emissions of carbon dioxide in New York have dropped by 5-10%, while China experienced a 25% reduction at the start of the year. The use of coal in power industries has also declined sharply. Satellite images from Europe show a reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions over northern Italy, which is beneficial for respiratory health and the environment. However, the question remains whether these temporary reductions will have a lasting impact on climate change.

Keywords

💡Coronavirus

Coronavirus refers to a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. In the context of the video, it specifically refers to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a significant impact on global activities and emissions. The video discusses how the pandemic has led to reduced human activities, resulting in a temporary decrease in environmental pollution.

💡Emissions

Emissions refer to the release of pollutants or greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The video highlights a decrease in emissions due to lockdowns and reduced industrial activity during the pandemic. For example, carbon dioxide emissions in New York dropped by 5-10%, and in China, emissions were down about 25% at the start of the year.

💡Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. The video mentions that emissions of CO2 have decreased due to the pandemic, as fewer vehicles are on the roads and industrial activity has slowed down.

💡Nitrogen Dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide is a harmful gas that can cause respiratory diseases and contribute to acid rain. The video notes that satellite images have shown a reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions over northern Italy, which is a positive environmental outcome of the pandemic.

💡Lockdowns

Lockdowns are strict restrictions on movement and social interaction implemented by governments to control the spread of the virus. The video explains that lockdowns have led to a significant reduction in travel and industrial activity, which in turn has reduced emissions.

💡Transport Emissions

Transport emissions refer to the greenhouse gases released by vehicles and other forms of transportation. The video states that transport makes up nearly a quarter of carbon emissions, and with fewer planes in the sky and reduced travel, there has been a notable decrease in these emissions.

💡Industry Emissions

Industry emissions are the greenhouse gases released by factories and businesses during production processes. The video points out that many factories and businesses have closed due to the pandemic, leading to a drop in their carbon emissions.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities that increase greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. The video questions whether the temporary reduction in emissions due to the pandemic will have a lasting impact on climate change.

💡Economic Stimulus

An economic stimulus is a government initiative to boost economic activity during a downturn. The video discusses how, following the 2008 financial crisis, some countries implemented stimulus programs that increased carbon emissions, suggesting that a similar pattern could occur post-pandemic.

💡Climate Conferences

Climate conferences are international meetings where countries discuss and negotiate actions to address climate change. The video mentions that the pandemic has led to the postponement of the UN's Cop 26 conference, which could impact global climate action.

💡Community Response

Community response refers to the actions and attitudes of people within a community during a crisis. The video expresses optimism that the willingness of people to make changes and sacrifices for public health during the pandemic could translate into a collective effort to tackle climate change.

Highlights

Coronavirus impacts include a significant reduction in global emissions.

New York experiences a 5-10% drop in carbon dioxide emissions.

China saw a 25% decrease in emissions at the start of the year.

Coal usage in China's power industry has significantly declined.

Northern Italy's nitrogen dioxide emissions have faded, as observed by satellite images.

Nitrogen dioxide is linked to respiratory diseases and acid rain.

The question of whether current emission drops will affect long-term environmental and climate change is raised.

Lockdowns have led to reduced travel and a subsequent drop in transport-related emissions.

Fewer flights contribute to less carbon emissions due to the high carbon footprint of flying.

Industry closures have resulted in a drop in global greenhouse gas emissions.

Oil consumption has likely dropped by more than 10% globally.

Many cities are experiencing their best air quality measurements ever.

Economic impact includes job losses due to emission reduction measures.

Researchers predict a 0.3% dip in carbon emissions for 2020, considering pandemic recovery.

The possibility of emissions returning to normal post-pandemic is discussed.

Historical precedents, like the 2008 financial crisis, show temporary emission drops followed by increases.

The cancellation of climate conferences, such as UN's Cop 26, may negatively impact climate efforts.

Climate scientists are concerned about the inability to collect necessary data due to lockdowns.

The pandemic presents an opportunity to reduce emissions long-term by changing work habits.

The crisis has prompted reflection on food sourcing and waste reduction.

The pandemic has demonstrated community willingness to make necessary changes for public health.

There is optimism that this capacity for change can be harnessed to tackle the climate crisis.

Transcripts

Coronavirus is affecting everything, including one pretty big thing -

the environment. Let's have a look at the global picture right now. Around the

world, airports roads cities - they're closing down and their emissions are

falling. In New York emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide are down

five to ten percent. In China emissions were down about 25 percent at the start

of the year and the amount of coal used in the

country's power industries has fallen off a cliff. And in Europe satellite

images have shown over northern Italy emissions of nitrogen dioxide fading

away. That's the gas that can cause respiratory disease and it also causes

acid rain. But here is the big question - will these dips that we are seeing now

actually have a long-term effect on the environment and climate change? To answer

that let's look at why emissions are falling. A big thing is that governments have

introduced lockdowns so we aren't traveling anywhere near as much as we used to in

China India UK Italy Spain France - transport makes up nearly a quarter of carbon emissions.

There are fewer planes in the sky and that matters because "hour for hour flying is the

fastest way to heat the climate so all the flights that are being reduced are

saving a lot of carbon." Another key reason that emissions have dropped comes

from industry which makes up nearly a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Many factories and businesses have closed their doors and their carbon

emissions have fallen with them. "Quite likely more than 10% of total oil consumption

globally has been wiped out and it has meant that many cities are measuring the

best air quality that they've ever seen. "That's also had a huge impact on the

economy and has meant many people are losing their jobs. So it's really not the

way that anyone wanted to lower carbon emissions. At the moment researchers

think that once you take our recovery from the pandemic into account. we might

see a dip in around 0.3 percent in our carbon emissions in 2020, so even though

there is this dip in emissions right now you've probably figured out the catch

which is that when life goes back to normal

well, so will emissions. People will go on long distance holidays and coal-fired

power stations will fire up again surely and it's not the first time we've seen a

temporary dip in recent history. The global financial crisis in 2008 also

caused a significant temporary drop in emissions but then lots of countries

started pumping out more carbon emissions again as they tried to rally

their economies, like in China the Chinese government started the largest

and most polluting economic stimulus programme in history using billions of

tons of steel and cement to build, causing a spike in China's air pollution

levels and in China's carbon dioxide emissions. That would mean that a crisis

like this can increase emissions in the years to come. But there's another way

that the pandemic could be affecting the climate negatively. One is cancelling big

climate conferences. The UN's Cop 26 conference scheduled for this year has

been postponed and climate scientists are worrying that they can't physically

get out and about to get the data that they need to do their work.

But there is some optimism. "This crisis could be a big opportunity to reduce

emissions in the longer term. For a lot of people there's no reason to go back to

commuting to an office every day." The pandemic has made us think about how

and where we get our food. The looming threat of lockdown emptied some

supermarket shelves. Might this unfamiliar sight of empty shelves

revive a 'waste not want not' mentality? andif it does maybe we won't end up wasting

one third of the world's food like we normally do. But perhaps more important

than any of that is the impact that coronavirus is having on us as a

community. "One thing that we see is that people are willing to help and willing

to make big changes and even sacrifices when it's necessary to protect public

health. That gives me a lot of hope that we have the capacity to tackle the

climate crisis."