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| The skies have cleared around Beirut, Lebanon – a city known for high levels of air pollution (Credit: Getty Images) |
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***This article was created March 27th and since it's publishing the number of people who have tested positive for and died from the Coronavirus has increased. In addition, the COP26 conference has been postponed until 2021 and will not be held this November.
While COVID-19 has certainly made an impact on the population, it has also impacted the environment. Shelter-in-place orders have caused travel to stop and businesses to close, which have reduced carbon emissions significantly. The biggest question is, will we continue to live at a lower rate of emissions, or will be bounce back? Many people no longer have to commute to work, and if they do continue to drive in the future, it's hard to say if they'd be driving more after the pandemic than before. Travel is a big cause of pollution, and it's hard to say whether there will be less travel in the future, or more people will travel to make up for the lost time. In the meantime, animals have returned to areas where tourist have previously drove them out, and there are clearer skies all around the world.
The fact that we are seeing that it is possible to lower pollution, makes me believe that lawmakers will be able to convince others to create more green policy in the future. We are seeing the immediate response to less emissions, and the Earth is thriving, even though people are suffering.
Questions:
Do you think that now is a good time to talk about and address the climate crisis?
How do you think those who don't believe in climate change would react to the recent decrease in pollution?
What would be the economic impact if individuals continue to act the same once the pandemic subsides?
1. This is certainly a good time to talk about the climate crisis, as our current consumption patterns are certainly better for the environment than the norm. Is now the best time to launch expensive new projects? Probably not.
ReplyDelete2. Pollution and climate change are intertwined, certainly, but from the climate change denialist's perspective, a decrease in pollution certainly means clear skies, but not anything else. Their reaction, I'm sure, as would mine, would be "wow, aren't the skies clear?" This should be the normal, not an aberration.
3. Massive unemployment unless we find ways to move service employees into more productive pursuits that still give them enough money to live comfortably.
I think that while we can start to discuss ways to address climate change, now is not the time to put anything into motion. Right now, the COVID-19 pandemic should be every government’s main priority, and while they can start to consider plans for climate change based on how the environment is impacted by less traffic and people staying at home, it would not be appropriate to put any plans into action. I think climate change disbelievers will probably take the decrease in pollution and go “see, I told you it’d fix itself” or “oh so it was never a real problem cause things just fluctuate, this is proof” or something like that. If people remained in shelter-at-home mode after the pandemic passes, like Ryan said, a massive rise of unemployment should be expected unless society adapts to support this new population of unemployed citizens.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that this is a good time to talk about the climate crisis but being in a global pandemic where the economy is struggling and unemployment rates are climbing, climate change is not the priority at this moment. It is definitely still important to talk about it without putting plans into action. Right now, our government needs to focus on the coronavirus pandemic by alleviating fears, figuring out a solution to the millions of people struggling to maintain a good living standard, and finding a solution to end this pandemic. This situation is going to be very difficult for people to come back from after the pandemic subsides and society needs to learn to adapt to these changes.
ReplyDeleteI think that with the global community currently focused on combating *corona*, the discussion on climate change likely will not rise much beyond the fact that the environment is slightly better at the moment. However, when the crisis ends, people inevitably will go back to work, start commuting again, and consume more CO2 unless they begin deciding to take jobs closer to home. If people act the same, nothing much will have changed besides the world's preparedness for another pandemic.
ReplyDeleteAlthough we should acknowledge the fact that the climate crisis we're living in is improving, we should keep the COVID-19 crisis as a priority. Thousands of people have died so I think we should put all of our energies and efforts into ending this pandemic. I believe we should place our focus back into climate improvement after the virus has been controlled. The positive results will speak for themselves, though. Many will start to notice that climate change is a real threat to the earth and will begin to bring awareness to others.
ReplyDeleteAs important as the issue of climate change is, I believe that at the moment coronavirus should remain the highest priority simply because it's currently devastating the entire globe and taking many lives whereas climate change isn't as immediate of an issue. This is not to say that climate change isn't a serious issue, it's just that the havoc that coronavirus is causing is more immediate than climate change. Although, I certainly would like to see the globe combat climate change the same way coronavirus is being combatted.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do believe that climate change and environmental issues should always be on the top of the political agenda, I think that it may seem insensitive if environmentalist prioritize carbon emissions over covid-19. It is a good time to see how the shelter in place has been reducing carbon emissions and pollution, but I do not believe it needs to be a large subject right now. It can be touched upon to give people hope for the future and show people that it can be done, but other than that I would say it is not as important as putting an end to the pandemic. I believe that environmental impacts made by measures taken to prevent the spread of covid-19 are not long lasting and emission levels will rise when covid-19 is no longer a threat.
ReplyDeleteBy following quarantine protocol, we not only reduce the chances of infecting ourselves and other people, but also temporarily help the environment (that being said, there are many necessary evils in regards to the quarantine). Currently, Greta Thunberg is staying at home and is urging the world to do so as well. I am quite positive that once COVID-19 dies down, the skies in many industrializing cities will turn smoggy again. Some climate change deniers might use this to claim something like "pollution is a marker of economic growth" or something along these lines. If theoretically speaking, the world continues what it is doing now, prices will rise dramatically dwindle as the resources become more scarce. Without effective means of production, there would not be enough provisions to supply for everyone.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do think that the climate crisis should be addresses, I don't know that now is the right time to do so as there are various other, extremely pressing issues taking place. That being said, after all of this chaos has died down, it could be the perfect time to bring up the issue of climate change as these times could be used as a prime example of what could be done to fix or at least work to improve the matter. Those who don't believe in climate change will most probably see recognize the decrease in pollution and how it is better for our environment, yet continue to argue against the idea that it contributes at all to the issue of climate change. Ultimately, I think that after this pandemic subsides, I think the measures people are taking will also subside as time passes - people will most probably return to their habits and behavior which include traveling, driving cars, etc. Although they may take the environment into account more, there is no guarantee the people won't return to how the world was before this pandemic.
ReplyDeleteI think the way the environment is changing during lock down is creating a good argument for people to push for more environmental restrictions. However, I agree that none of this can happen until after we have the economy and the pandemic under control. I don't think that the recent decrease in pollution will really change anyone's views on pollution. Scientists have given data to prove that climate change is real and people still don't believe it. It may change the minds of some people because they will see that scientist are not just making up this data. The economy will continue to suffer until more jobs are available and people start having money to spend again.
ReplyDeleteI think that in general, the time to talk about any sort of problem is now. But this pandemic has highlighted the idea that there is hope for our climate and many climate activists are using this time now to shed light on this progress and that hope. Maybe activists and lawmakers can work together to come up with a plan to implement after quarantine to ensure that we don't just go back to our old habits but rather change them for the better. As for what non-climate change believers will say in response to pollution levels going down, I think that when someone throws logic out the window, it becomes really difficult for someone who sees the world through logic to argue or communicate a message with that person--It's not going to work. They would need to find some other common ground if they really wanted to change their mind. If they heard that the pollution levels dropped and were asked, "what do you think now?" I think that they would give some explanation that somehow doesn't connect pollution with climate change.
ReplyDeleteClimate change is an issue that we have been dealing with recently, and although it is important, I think putting our resources towards the pandemic and the economy is more crucial. Once the economy is back to a stable position, and the pandemic is somewhat handled, it would be a smart idea for activists and lawmakers to promote and address the climate crisis. Even though facts state that climate change is a real thing and it has to do with our pollution, people who don't believe in it won't listen. Facts have been said over and over again about how climate change is real, and adding more information won't change their views. Once the economy is back on track, I don't think people will change their ways, and they will go back to their normal routine. However, if something about pollution and our climate crisis is addressed, that will be the only way for people to change and be more environmentally aware.
ReplyDeleteOh boy if you thought coronavirus was bad just wait until climate change catastrophe happens. We're literally going to have tens of millions of climate refugees and we're not ready at all. YES we should talk about climate change now. I think its impossible to convince someone to believe in it who doesn't, and that it's really a waste of time trying to. We just need someone in the white house who believes it exists, that's the first step.
ReplyDeleteClimate change is going to get us at some point. Since all of the past generations have based their energy and power off of fossil fuels and other carbon dioxide producing products, there is going to be a lot of issues for future generations like us. There is definitely going to be a point were we finally change to only solar and wind power but it will take a long time. Climate change is bound to kick in before then.
ReplyDeleteI think that the nation hasn't been doing too well at handling the coronavirus at hand, so putting anything into action about climate change should be dealt with after things have been controlled and have settled down. Despite that, I think people having to stay home is a clear and evident fact that climate change is real and humans are the ones who are worsening the conditions through the large amount of carbon emissions they emit. As a result, if people continue to reduce the amount of carbon they use on a daily basis (flying less, driving less, etc.), I think the conditions of the Earth will continue to benefit and become healthier as the years progress, although I think this will not happen; as soon as the social distancing orders lessen, I think people will travel the same or more than they did before.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I don’t think the positive climate changes will last. When this pandemic ends, things will return to normal. It is good that our environment gets a little “breather” though, if you will. I think those who don’t believe in climate change are the same people believing and spreading falsified information about the virus. I do like that this was pointed out though, so we can be more conscious of our direct impact on the environment. I hope that we can implement more green policy coming out of this, but with recovery of jobs and other things taking over so much of the media, I hope the environment doesn’t get eclipsed yet again.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I believe that climate change is something that needs to be addressed, I think that the government's main focus should be placed on covid-19. With the amount of unemployment rising, the amount of spending has been significantly decreasing thus taking a toll on the economy. Once the economy has gotten back on it's feet and people are assuming their jobs again, then I think it would be reasonable for the government to address the climate change issue and promote more green policies as the world has seen how a reduction of pollution can affect the environment.
ReplyDelete