Coronavirus’ Positive Effect on Our Eco-Systems
The coronavirus has become a
global phenomenon that will be in history books for years to come as being one of
the biggest pandemics of this era. Consequentially, this pandemic has led to
the largest shift in the way humans are living that most humans have ever seen.
As a result of the coronavirus
industries and businesses are being forced to close and restrictions on travel
has been put in place. As a result of this, air pollution has naturally
lessened. The Guardians useful graphic represents readings from ESA’s Sentinel-5P
satellite, that have shown a significant change in the amount of nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) over cities and urban areas in the UK.
Nitrogen Dioxide is produced from
the same places that produce Carbon Dioxide (CO2), such as car engines and
power plants, and can be dangerous to human’s respiratory system. Although Nitrogen
Dioxide isn’t the direct source of climate change, it is produced by similar
activities that produce CO2 which is the instigator of climate change.
In a comment to The Guardian,
Professor Paul Monks, who is a professor of air pollution at the University of
Leicester, said there will be important lessons to learn. “We are now,
inadvertently, conducting the largest-scale experiment ever seen,” he said.
“Are we looking at what we might see in the future if we can move to a
low-carbon economy? Not to denigrate the loss of life, but this might give us
some hope from something terrible. To see what can be achieved.”


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