A ray of hope in the corona pandemic

Climate change is the biggest crisis of our generation. We are in the peak moment where substantial reform and zealous endeavor can turn our way around or walk us to the journey of annihilation. We have been aware of the consequences of climate change since the 1950s. Ho
wever, mass concern about climate sensitivity is quite underemphasized even now. According to the IPCC report of 2018, climate change impacts can be avoided significantly by limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It asserts we have until 2030 to make sharp carbon emission cuts to prevent millions of future deaths. This goal seemed almost impossible despite the efforts by the concerned countries because of the perpetuating greenhouse gas emission. The coronavirus outbreak unequivocally showed the world that the expected measures are far from being unrealistic. This pandemic has proven substantial structural changes can be made possible in the face of a crisis that was unprecedented before. Climate change is undoubtedly the most alarming crisis of the present era. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the pollution level decreased drastically all around the world because of severe travel restrictions and home quarantine. For instance, in New York, the carbon monoxide level was down by nearly 50%; in Rome, the concentration of nitrogen dioxide level downed by almost 35%; in Barcelona, the levels have dropped by 55%; in Lisbon, it decreased by 51%. This unprecedented achievement was possible because of lesser traffic emissions. However, there was no remarkable change in the carbon dioxide levels since the homes were always heated in these areas. Moreover, the researchers found that overall, the air quality of china improved from 89.6 to 71.6 in the lockdown period, to summarize, the lockdowns and other restrictions resulted in a 25 percent reduction in carbon emissions and 50 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides emissions. Furthermore, the air quality index (AQI) is decreased by 44%, 33%, 29%, 15%, and 32% in north, south, east, central, and western India respectively. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) says overall levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) dropped by 40% In Europe. One expert said the sudden shift represented the “largest-scale experiment ever” regarding reducing industrial emissions. Hence, according to the Bloomberg report, 2020 will see the biggest decline in annual emissions. 

This lockdown ensured more than just some numerical changes in the environment. Nature’s healing process was quite evidently noticed by the population, especially the outdoorsmen. COVID-19 gave us an anomalous scope to stare at the bluer sky and gaze at the beautiful greenery nature. Human confinement during the quarantine and limitation in movement provided more space to the wildlife and birds; so much so, that different animal was noticed and pictured roaming around the lockdown period in many countries. The locals of different countries observed louder birds’ chirping and more bird nests beside the footpaths and busy roads inside the country. It happened because of lesser visitors on the streets. Moreover, the pollution reduction created an extraordinary opportunity for the stargazers to view the amazing stars in the sky. The astronomers also succeeded in taking clearer images of the Lylod meteor shower. 

Human confinement gave a unique opportunity to wildlife to break free. For example, Dolphins were spotted playing and swimming in the Bosphorous of Istanbul in Turkey. Many groups of wild boars were seen roaming around in the roads of Haifa enjoying the food leftover in dustbins. While some enjoyed and fed these boars, others wanted their departure. The numbers of Pink Flamingo escalated by a third in Albania according to the park authorities. A family of otters was spotted playing in the Marina Bay Area of Singapore. In India, Nilgai, deers, civets, peacocks rhinos, and a variety of other animals were spotted moving around the roads.

Along with the freedom of wildlife, the water resources were also in relief in absence of men. For instance, Ganga water at Haridwar and Rishikesh were found clean and safe for drinking due to a 500% decrease in sewage and industrial effluents after lockdown due to COVID 19 pandemic. A drop in the number of visitors at Ghats in Haridwar also helped in improving river water quality. Many environmentalists told that nature and wildlife’s’ reigniting in the absence of humans is a visual representation of how the world would improve drastically if people are more careful and conscious. Although the experts have claimed that this development is temporary, it is proved that change is possible even at this point. The pandemic brought severe economic loss and health ordeal but also gave us an opportunity to save our mother earth. 

These changes definitively showed us significant change is possible under crisis. Quarantine is not the solution to climate change. Still, the pandemic has taught us that a well-planned economic slowdown is attainable with the population's constructive social and economic safety policies. The government and the general population have to take singular and collective measures to fight climate change. The core task is to overcome the climate crisis and work toward the economy in service of life. Overall, consciousness is rising and countries are embracing eco-friendly methods to limit carbon emissions. There are some short-term benefits to the global environment from the economic slowdown. Such benefits include a reduction in the rate of air and water pollution from reduced energy use, which directly impacts the urban poor's health. However, modest benefits to global and local environments arising from the economic slowdown are likely to be much smaller than the costs associated with many environmental conservation measures, related to energy savings, natural resources protection, and water environment. 

Five years ago, the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report provided the scientific input into the Paris Agreement, which aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2ºC above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels., The consequences of climate change are larger if global warming exceeds 1.5°C before returning to that level by 2100 than if global warming gradually stabilizes at 1.5°C, especially if the peak temperature is high (about 2°C). Some impacts may be long-lasting or irreversible even result in the loss of some ecosystems,

Although we all are menaced by the horror of the coronavirus, this pandemic gave us a visual demonstration to impede the frightful consequences of climate change. The lockdown has shown us what life could be like, and what the environment could be like if everyone developed a minimum level of consciousness. The researchers and their compatriots are greatly encouraged by this salutary of the Corona pandemic. They have become hopeful about what are the unseen possibilities that could lead us to a better and safer future just by making simple changes in our daily habits. Thus the policymakers, economists, environmentalists, and climate activists all have come together in order to mitigate this crisis.