COVID-19 Vs Environment — What is the impact of coronavirus on nature?
Amid the global pandemic of COVID-19, popularly known as the Coronavirus, society tries to stop the spread of the disease and live with the change it generates in the world population.
That this situation directly impacts the economy is undeniable, but how does coronavirus impact the environment?
I think that this virus is an indirect response of nature, created artificially by elements of the environment.
What do you mean, Lucas?
Calm down, I’ll explain.
It is unclear as to the origin of the epidemic, what is known is that contagion started in a market in the Chinese province of Wuhan, and that the virus was transmitted from one animal species to another before it infected humans.
How it came about is not known for certain. There are some conspiracy theories circulating on the internet that indicate that the virus was created by the Chinese to boycott foreign markets, and then with an investment policy, resume the economy. Another theory indicates that the virus was developed by the Americans and brought to China in October 2019, during the Military World Games, held in Wuhan.
Okay, and how is that a response from nature?
It is an indirect answer.
It is not that Mother Earth was upset with her children and sent a global pandemic to stop irresponsible acts, but there is an energy balance on the planet that needs to be reached, a balance that must be respected.
And we crossed the line!
In recent years, numerous zoonotic diseases (which are transmitted from animals to people) have been reported worldwide for causing major pandemics, such as ebola, bird flu, zikavirus, among others.
It is an infected organism impacting another.
It may be an illusory view on my part to imagine that this movement is something natural, but it makes sense.
Look at the logic:
Fewer people on the street, contamination has been reduced, and air quality has improved.
The industries were partially paralyzed, some factories were temporarily closed, activities that depend on coal have been reduced considerably and numerous flights have been suspended.
In Italy, images from the European Space Agency (ESA) show a decrease in nitrogen dioxide.
In China, the country where the virus began, the same situation occurs. NASA images showed a dramatic drop in air contamination.
This reduction is only momentary, of course, and its cause is negative, being a high price to pay.
One of the consequences of the outbreak was cleaner air and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The temporary closure of factories and businesses in China, in addition to other restrictions to combat the epidemic, lead to a considerable decline in the consumption of fossil fuels.
This whole process represents a drop of at least 25% in CO2 emissions, according to the Center of Research for Energy and Clean Air (Crea).
A 25% reduction in China’s emissions represents an overall 6% reduction.
However, it is not known whether the changes will be maintained or whether they will be compensated by the movements in order to reheat the market.
Depending on countries’ measures to stimulate the economy, the post-epidemic impact can trigger emissions with numbers above historical averages, just as it did after the global financial crisis of 2015 and a global economic recession.
The change in consumer behavior can directly interfere with the economic impact of the crisis, bringing about a global change in people’s lifestyles and increasing awareness of the damage from emissions.
It is an ecological revolution, with innumerable variables that allows us to evolve as living beings, adapting to the ecosystem we live in and maintaining the balance of the planet.
Some questions about the consumption habit have already been triggered by the crisis, such as rethinking days that could end in quarantine, or with a high rate of infection.
Fear results in people choosing to avoid risky activities, such as going out shopping. Some restaurants, car dealers and stores have seen declines in demand.
It is a delicate moment, a period of recession and extra care. You need to empathize with those who are most in need, who are in the vulnerable zone.
Do not leave home, avoid crowding and personal hygiene habits are measures to contain the pandemic.
This is the basics.
It all starts from an individual-collective conscience, thinking about the well-being and health of society in general.
It is an excellent opportunity to reinvent yourself, question some habits and change your consumption behavior.
May this journey also be one of growth and evolution.
If the focus is on learning, I am sure that we will go through this crisis with the hope of a better future.
And you, what do you think? What is the impact of coronavirus on nature?
Tell me there …
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Links from sites I used as a reference to write this text:
https://nacoesunidas.org/surto-de-coronavirus-e-reflexo-da-degradacao-ambiental-afirma-pnuma/
https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/internacional-51682790
https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/internacional-51766452
https://istoe.com.br/origem-do-coronavirus-pequim-se-recusa-a-assumir-responsabilidade/