As governments around the world issue shelter-in-place orders in response to the pandemic, many people are forced to stay at home to avoid spreading the virus.
In doing so, many businesses, like restaurants, offices, and stores have reduced their business hours or have ceased them completely.
Most notably, industrial activity has temporarily come to halt causing pollution levels around the world to decline.
The Guardian reports that countries previously struggling with air pollution – China, South Korea, Italy – are now seeing a dramatic drop in nitrogen dioxide emissions amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Air pollution has a major effect on our environment and is one of the leading factors in climate change. Industrial plants are responsible for emitting most of the toxic and harmful gasses into our atmosphere.
While industrial levels of pollution are decreasing worldwide, individual levels of pollution are falling as well.
According to The New York Times, the level of vehicle-produced pollution in Chicago has decreased as there have been fewer cars and trucks on the roads. This reduction in vehicle pollution is also happening in other major cities around the country.
This is a good thing since the climate crisis is the greatest threat to life on Earth; if the disastrous effects on the planet’s ecosystems are ever going to be reversed, humanity need to act soon.
However, when this pandemic is over and the shelter-in-place is lifted, it seems levels of industrial activity and vehicle emissions will rise again.
If there is a silver lining to the pandemic, it is that a majority of us can come together to combat a worldwide crisis. Of course, there are exceptions, such as spring breakers breaking quarantine so they can continue partying, or bands not canceling their tours and shows because they aren’t afraid of the virus.
While it is unfortunate to see this amount of selfishness and ignorance being displayed during a global pandemic, they do not account for the majority of people who are constantly trying to contain this virus.
This pandemic shows us we can do something about the climate crisis. Perhaps this pandemic proves people don’t always have to drive to go to work. They can work efficiently from home.
The climate crisis is something affecting every single one of us, and if we are threatened, we will fight back. The only thing we need now is a plan to fight climate change and the rest will take care of itself.