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.