How the Coronavirus is Effecting the Environment: For Better or For Worse?

News outlets have been doing a thorough job of letting us know how the coronavirus is effecting our bodies, social lives, and the economy, but how is this disease effecting the environment?

The coronavirus is something that for weeks now has been on everyone’s minds. Whether it’s because you live in a country which is being greatly effected by the illness, know someone who has the illness or even if you are someone who has experienced the coronavirus personally. Even if you live somewhere which hasn’t yet been drastically effected by the virus all you would need to do is turn on the news to be swamped by information on the spread and effects of the virus.

However, while it is undisputedly important to know how we can protect ourselves and bodies from the coronavirus, it has occurred to me what impact, if any, the coronavirus has had on the environment.

After doing some research there seems to be two sides to how the coronavirus is effecting our environment. On one side, there have already been reports of decreased carbon emissions in countries that have been greatly effected by the illness. However, according to the International Energy Agency the economic fallout expected in the wake of the coronavirus could delay the world’s clean energy transition.

Some of the immediate positive effects of the coronavirus on the environment include a dramatic decrease in the world’s demand for oil which should cap the fossil fuel emissions. It’s well known that China is one of the world’s biggest contributors of CO2 emissions in the world, however as the coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China they have been badly hit by the disease. This has led to China’s carbon emissions to drop by at least 100 metric tonnes (as of February 2020). This is because the 80,000 people who have contracted the illness in China has caused a drop in demand for coal and oil. This has positive short-term effects on the environment with how decreased carbon production can reduce climate change and improve air quality.

Unfortunately, environmentalists have predicted that this reduction in emissions is only temporary. Factories are expected to maximise production once the coronavirus has plateaued, mainly to compensate from the losses they experienced during the height of the coronavirus outbreak. Economists have also predicted a global economic recession as a result of the disease, which will cause oil prices to drop and ultimately stall multibillion-dollar projects that are invested in clean energy.

On top of this, with increasing travel restrictions and reduced flights due to countries’ commitment to containing and delaying the spread of the virus, vital climate talks scheduled are likely to be cancelled or delayed. One particularly important talk, the Cop26 summit, is due to take place this November in Glasgow. Sadly, this is unlikely to be prioritised at this time with potentially millions of people across the world needing immediate attention due to the virus. This could have worrying consequences as many are already viewing Cop26 as one of the last chances for countries to be put back on track to avoid a total climate breakdown

Another effect the coronavirus has had on the environment is the damage that single-use surgical face masks are causing. There have already been reports in Hong Kong of face masks appearing washed up on beaches due to millions of people using, and discarding, them in the city every day. Not only is this highly unhygienic, but face masks are not even built to be used for a long time. Once opened it’s advised the face mask is disposed within three months. This potentially could have long-term detrimental effects on the environment, especially on sea and wild life, depending on the length of time people continue to use surgical face masks for protection.

Overall, clearly the coronavirus has had, and is going to have, a serious effect on the world over the upcoming months. While it is important to look after our personal health and the health of those around us, I also believe that being conscious of how the coronavirus is going to effect the environment will hopefully reduce the negative side effects that the disease is likely to have once it has taken its course.