Covid-19 Pandemic and It's Impact on Environment

CORONAVIRUS : A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Introduction

December, 2019 was the day when the Wuhan, China reported a new virus to the entire world, which later on converted into a pandemic. This virus was known as Novel Corona Virus. Later on through the pathogenic study of this virus it was known that it has same phylogeny as SARS-CoV. Regarding that, the World Health Organization named it as Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19) on 11 February,2020,  very soon this virus spread all across the globe. On 11 March,2020, this virus was declared as pandemic by WHO. And by 14 July,2020, it was spread to more than 200 countries an union territories. The Coronavirus Study Group(CSG) named this virus as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2).

Corona virus belongs to a group of viruses with family - Coronaviridae and subfamily - Coronavirinae. The coronavirus is a virus that can affect the respiratory tract including nose, mouth, throat, sinuses and lungs. It is considered as possible agent for respiratory diseases with symptoms like flu, fever, runny nose, cough, difficulty in breathing, pneumonia and lung infection. It is presumed that it was started by a animal-to-human transmission and now it is transmitting human-to-human. The respiratory droplets of the infected person are the problem and the mode of transmission. These droplets carry the virus and enters into a healthy host. On entering this virus causes an inflammation in alveoli of lungs which results in the secretion of fluid into the alveoli, causing difficulty in breathing and cough. This is the starting of spread of coronavirus.

To put a break on the transmission of this disease, many countries has started following the social distancing norms by implementing lockdown. Due to this,  factories are shut down, markets are closed, global economy is at halt, vehicles are at home. When humanity is living their lives in nature has nature has picked this chance to flourish or we can say that - " Nature has pressed the reset button." According to the research articles published by European Space Agency(ESA) and National Aeronautics Space Administration(NASA) the pollution levels in the epic centers of covid-19 has drastically decreased. India, which is also facing the heat of covid-19, has shown some good results regarding pollution.

Positive Impacts of Covid-19 on Environment

Decrease in air pollution :

The major effects that can be seen on human health is due to air. The air quality around us determines whether we live a healthy life or not. The World Health Organization has estimated that poor quality of kills 7 million people each and every year across the globe. The quality of air is measured by an index called Air Quality Index(AQI) in India, which is composed of 8 pollutants ( PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3 and Pb ).

In the cities like Delhi, the in components of air pollution are PM10 and PM2.5 particles that are present in the air. When the level of these particles increases in the air, they cause difficulty in breathing, irritation in eyes etc. Many countries in the  world has also experienced the massive decrease in air pollution.

This image shows us that how much air pollution in decreased.

These changes in air quality of Delhi has given a way to blue skies. Himalayas can be seen from Punjab. And many changes. Nitrogen dioxide(NO2) that is emitted from the chimneys of factories, automobiles etc. has also dropped drastically. According to a survey, there was an decrement of 35.6% of Nitrogen dioxide in India.

Decrease in water pollution :

This image shows us the decrement in water pollution level of Yamuna in Delhi.

"Water is Life" this slogan shows us that how much water is essential for our life. The data has shown that covid-19 not only affected the air quality but has also affected the water quality. We all know the water of Ganga, Yamuna is considered pure, at least for now it seems to be true. The stoppage of discharging of industrial waste into the river has increased the quality of many water bodies. According to the real-time water analysis of the Central Pollution Control Board of India(CPCB) and reports of Dr. Mishra, an IIT Professor in Banaras Hindu University, a 40-50% improvement has been observed in the water quality of the Ganga river. The water are looking clearer after the two months of covid-19 lockdown and aquatic life is now visible which hasn't been seen for many years in the cities. This had a great impact on aquatic life. Many species are returning to their natural habitats since implementation of lockdown.

Other positive effects of covid-19:

There are many other positive effects also that are the results of lockdown. Like - There was a steep decline in the noise pollution level. The decrease in use of public and private transport has caused a decrement in levels of noise. The authors in their study noticed a significant decrease (34%) in the Suspended Particulate Matter(SPM) concentration of the lake water during the lockdown period. When these distancing norms has confined the mankind in their houses, this has given a chance to the wildlife to flourish and experience the freedom of nature. This pandemic has given chance to endangered species to survive.

Negative Impact of Covid-19 on Environment

Effect on energy resources :

The gradual decrease in usage of energy in different countries.

Energy is essential to life and all organisms. The sun, directly or indirectly, is the source of all the energy available on earth. Our energy choices and decisions impact Earth's natural system in ways, we may not be aware of. Because of this lockdown, there was a decrease in the demand of energy in industrial and commercial regions but increased in the residential regions. There was around 10-30% reduction in electrical supply. Similarly, the global oil demand was strongly hit, showing a decline (5%) in the first quarter of 2020. This reduction was due to decrement in mobility and transportation, which alone accounts for 60% demand of global oil. 

Effect on biodiversity : 

Despite of some positive impacts on animals and plants, the lockdown has some negative impacts too. Due to this lockdown, there was a great impact on the trade of forest resources which was a source of income for many rural people. Many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are now lacking people, because of which the management of endangered species is effected. The halt on the global economy has effected the funding for management of biodiversity. 

Due to this lockdown, many people have lost their jobs, because of which they have started migrating towards the rural areas, which can cause the spread of virus in villages. In poor countries like, Somalia, Niger etc., there was an increment in illegal poaching of wild animals which can make them endangered.

Other negative effects of covid-19 :

Where the lockdown has been a boon for our environment, on the other hand it has became a Bane also. Before the implementation of lockdown many people started stocking packed foods or snacks, that was considered to be recycled but due to social distancing there is a reduction in workers in recycling units which leads to increase in the waste. Another bane is the usage of internet. Internet not only effects us but it also impacts environment. According to a study, internet usage contributes about 3.7% to the global emissions, i.e., equivalent to all traffic of the world. And this figure is going to be doubled by 2025. The lockdown has not only affected the physical health, but has also affected the mental health. There was an increase in the level of depression, anxiety, stress. 

Conclusion :

 However, after seeing the effects of covid-19 on environment or on human life, we can make a conclusion that - We humans are mere players of this nature. No matter how strong the humans will become, they will never surpass the nature. But like the previous catastrophes in human history, human's will win over this pandemic in due course of time. 

Nature has always created numerous hurdles and situations for the mankind giving an alert on the use of natural resources. Therefore, it is necessary to understand those indications and better take preventive measures towards exploitation of nature. 

At last, I have a question that, will the nature continue to flourish like this? Or it will become more adverse?