Coronavirus lockdowns have sent pollution plummeting. Environmentalists worry about what comes next.

[Rhiannon12866]

The decline in carbon emissions that has resulted from coronavirus lockdowns could easily be reversed by efforts to quickly ramp up economies.

Traffic-free roads, plane-free skies and widespread brick-and-mortar closings have made the planet a beneficiary of the coronavirus pandemic — but only in the short term.

Li Shuo, senior climate and energy policy officer at Greenpeace in Beijing, said it's not time to "pop the champagne corks" just yet.

"It's hardly a sustainable way to reduce emissions," he said.

Many climate experts spotlighted 2020 as a critical year to take decisive action to limit the worst impacts of global warming. The year started with international attention on catastrophic wildfires and floods.

The pandemic has overshadowed those issues — but with an environmental silver lining. The sharp reductions documented in carbon emissions and air pollution caused by coronavirus-related lockdowns have offered a sort of preview of the kind of improvements that can be made when drastic action is taken.

But the changes could easily be wiped out by efforts to quickly ramp up economies, including governments around the world that may be more willing to relax regulations to jump-start companies.


Much more (Includes video): https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/coronavirus-lockdowns-have-sent-pollution-plummeting-environmentalists-worry-about-what-n1178326



The skies above Los Angeles are cleaner and clearer because of lower automobile use and less local manufacturing. Ted Soqui / Sipa USA via AP file

[greyl]

1. That photo is amazing, and looks fake because it's so clear. Larger version:

( Right click > View Image to see full size )

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I know! And it looks like this is happening all over the world!

It shows we can do it, we just need to find a way to sustain this progress as much as we can.

[greyl]

3. Helps focus on how pollution sucks, even for those who deny global warming & climate change. nt

[Rhiannon12866]

4. That's an excellent point!

Of course, Trump and his minions are experts at denial, but it's hard to ignore when photos make it obvious.

[BigmanPigman]

10. If that is a recent photo it could possibly be that

clear outside since S California has had between 5-7" of rain this month, making it one of the wettest April's in history. The rain washed some of the pollution out of the atmosphere.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. First off, this crisis isn't going to end all that soon.

Despite Donald Trump wanting to re-open everything tomorrow or the day after, that won't happen.

Meanwhile, skies will get clearer and clearer everywhere. And yeah, those recent pictures of Los Angeles look totally photoshopped. If they are not, if they are actual non-photoshopped pictures, then a relatively short time of little car traffic is dramatic. It's probably even more dramatic in cities in India or China. Assuming they've largely stopped driving there also.

People are not going to be willing to go back to what it was like before. People are going to want to keep clear skies. People are realizing that there is an alternative to commuting three hours a day, to spending too many hours at a job that isn't always that satisfying. People are making connections with others that won't go away.

On a personal note, I've taken up taking a bit of a walk on my way to the mailbox each day. It's not always lovely and warm, and on the days that it is, I'm somewhat distressed that I am not seeing more people out in their front or back yards, enjoying the fine weather. But I still see a few, and I will stand at a distance, exchange a few words, and then move on. I'm thinking that when this is over I want to organize some kind of block party, or party at the nearby park. Just a giant celebration of life and being neighbors.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. Yesterday someone here mentioned that the air seemed clearer where they were

So I did a quick search and found a few more posts on the subject, India was mentioned specifically:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1018&pid=1346712

It's apparently happening everywhere:

NASA Satellite Data Show 30 Percent Drop In Air Pollution Over Northeast U.S.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1127137180

Himalayas Seen from India for the First Time in 30 Years Due to Air Pollution Drop
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1127137170

'It's positively alpine!' Disbelief in big cities as air pollution falls
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142468313

Silver lining: reduction in pollution
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213154665


And I've also noticed an increase of people out walking (especially with their dogs) and outside doing yardwork - at least in my neck-of-the-woods. This is the time of year for it, but now many people have the time and it's a better alternative to just sitting inside.

[The Wielding Truth]

6. The Earth can get along just fine without us. Makes you feel really insignificant.

[Rhiannon12866]

8. And so can the wildlife, from the news I've read here on DU:

Animals loving the world without humans
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213275269

Animals Invade Cities As People Quarantine Themselves At Home
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181342887

[cstanleytech]

9. That photo makes me wonder what the impact would be if the majority of countries would expand

their mass transit systems to replace the majority of cars on the road.

[Dem2theMax]

11. I sincerely hope that all of the countries in this world will see the silver linings

and do everything they can to keep them.

Maybe companies will realize that their employees do better work at home. Maybe people will realize they don't need to get in their cars every other 10 minutes to go somewhere. Maybe people will realize they don't need every single thing they see on the TV, the internet or in a a magazine. Maybe they will recycle and purchase used items. Keep the landfills a little less full. Keep the oceans cleaner. Keep the skies bluer.

Maybe people will realize it's fun to grow vegetables, and that we should do it year-round, in our backyards.

So many Silver Linings to this horrible crisis. If each one of us could hold on to the ones that work for us, in addition to saving us from covid 19, maybe we can save the planet and ourselves in the process.

[NickB79]

12. The loss of global dimming from sulfur emissions could spike temps though

Which would be extremely ironic.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

13. Thanks, Rhiannon. That's quite a memorable shot.

I'm seeing stories like that from around the globe regarding both water and air. Especially welcome break in places like Delhi and Beijing where some days one can hardly see ten yards.

Sadly, it's only temporary and we best enjoy it while we can.

KY......

[Rhiannon12866]

15. Thanks! And it is encouraging, it hasn't even been that long!

Now if only we can keep some of the progress we've made - worldwide - in such a short time, we can have a healthier future - and planet! We know now that we can do it!

[haricotblue]

14. Amazing what we can do when it's OUR lives on the line...

For years we've been told we can't save future generations or the planet because it'd cost too much, take away jobs, or whatever the excuse-du-jour is. But when that virus hit, suddenly it was "Shut down the entire world economy? No problem!"