96
T. S. Shwetha and A. Kaur
4.2 Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Environment
There have been several major pandemics that have swept the globe in the period
between 2000 and 2019, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, H1N1, Ebola
virus, and Zika fever and so on. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is the only
pandemic with such widespread and large-scale impacts [46]. Several studies have
been done to examine the impact of the novel coronavirus on several aspects of our
environment, as mentioned below:
1. Crowding and the physical environment
Due to overcrowding and high population in the cities, most live in crammed
houses with lesser space between people. The impact of the virus in terms of the
safety measures like social distancing and being locked at home meant that the
psychological impact of the pandemic was larger in cities. Lesser people outside
meant less crowding and more space per person [14].
2. Air quality
The pandemic has caused a decline in the economic activities of several industries,
such as energy and resources, retail, manufacturing, high-tech and communication,
and transportation [15]. However, the positive impact of this reduction in activities
on the quality of the air we breathe in has been visible since March. The degree
of air pollution reported in various countries like China and Italy, as well as in
cities like New York and Delhi showed a sharp reduction. Furthermore, the level of
greenhouse gas emission has been predicted to reduce in a similar manner for the
rest of the year [67].
3. Fossil fuels and reduction in emissions
The reduction in human domination on the environment resulted in drastic climate
change. As a result of the halt in the functioning of industries, as well as the constraints
in movement of vehicles, the utilisation of fossil fuels has been reduced substantially
[52]. Therefore, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide emissions have reduced in a
huge manner in many of the metropolitan cities across the world. Due to the decrease
in air and water pollution in several places such as China, Italy, Spain, India and
France, people are experiencing surprising change in their surroundings—a form
of environmental revival—as they see cleaner air, and clear waters, as well as an
increase in the visibility of wild animals around cities and other human habitats.
We are directly experiencing the nature bouncing back. The pandemic has been
successful at one thing—in providing us a hint of what our planet might look like,
with sustained efforts and a decrease in the use of fossil fuels.
4. Impact on other areas
A better impact on other areas was seen, such as betterment of health and
well-being, availability of clean water, education, sanitation, sustainable cities and
communities, clean energy, consumption and production in a responsible manner,
T. S. Shwetha and A. Kaur
4.2 Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Environment
There have been several major pandemics that have swept the globe in the period
between 2000 and 2019, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, H1N1, Ebola
virus, and Zika fever and so on. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is the only
pandemic with such widespread and large-scale impacts [46]. Several studies have
been done to examine the impact of the novel coronavirus on several aspects of our
environment, as mentioned below:
1. Crowding and the physical environment
Due to overcrowding and high population in the cities, most live in crammed
houses with lesser space between people. The impact of the virus in terms of the
safety measures like social distancing and being locked at home meant that the
psychological impact of the pandemic was larger in cities. Lesser people outside
meant less crowding and more space per person [14].
2. Air quality
The pandemic has caused a decline in the economic activities of several industries,
such as energy and resources, retail, manufacturing, high-tech and communication,
and transportation [15]. However, the positive impact of this reduction in activities
on the quality of the air we breathe in has been visible since March. The degree
of air pollution reported in various countries like China and Italy, as well as in
cities like New York and Delhi showed a sharp reduction. Furthermore, the level of
greenhouse gas emission has been predicted to reduce in a similar manner for the
rest of the year [67].
3. Fossil fuels and reduction in emissions
The reduction in human domination on the environment resulted in drastic climate
change. As a result of the halt in the functioning of industries, as well as the constraints
in movement of vehicles, the utilisation of fossil fuels has been reduced substantially
[52]. Therefore, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide emissions have reduced in a
huge manner in many of the metropolitan cities across the world. Due to the decrease
in air and water pollution in several places such as China, Italy, Spain, India and
France, people are experiencing surprising change in their surroundings—a form
of environmental revival—as they see cleaner air, and clear waters, as well as an
increase in the visibility of wild animals around cities and other human habitats.
We are directly experiencing the nature bouncing back. The pandemic has been
successful at one thing—in providing us a hint of what our planet might look like,
with sustained efforts and a decrease in the use of fossil fuels.
4. Impact on other areas
A better impact on other areas was seen, such as betterment of health and
well-being, availability of clean water, education, sanitation, sustainable cities and
communities, clean energy, consumption and production in a responsible manner,