For the first time, the world stood in solidarity. We experienced the same lockdown, trying to stay sane at home, connected to the outside world only through the phone or internet. Stepping out was at the risk of being apprehended for not following orders. A trip to the grocery store was like a peek into prehistoric times, when hunting and gathering food could result in you being killed by wild animals while now you could be in danger of contracting the deadly disease.
However, there was a silver lining to this disastrous conundrum. The air pollution levels around the world reduced tremendously. The European Space Agency (ESA) has shown a steep reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels in highly polluted cities in Asia and Europe. The levels across eastern and central China has reduced by 30 percent while in Milan and other parts of Italy by 40 percent. In the UK, cities like London, Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff have shown that the levels have even reduced to 50 percent.
The daily global carbon emissions fell by 17 percent between January and April compared to the same time in 2019 , according to the UK based journal National Climate Change. Almost half of the emissions came from land transport. The total global carbon emissions are slated to reduce by 4 to 8 percent.
Although this is a good news for our environment, it needs to be maintained in order to combat climate change. To meet the targets set by the Paris Agreement, carbon dioxide emission need to fall by more than 6 percent each year. The mandatory lockdown resulted in industrial and manufacturing activities halted globally. Transportation by air and road came to a standstill which in turn affected the demand for oil globally. As the restrictions are being eased worldwide, the carbon emissions will soon resume.
The carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are the leading cause of global warming. Unlike nitrogen dioxide emissions that can be improved with temporary measures like the lockdown, CO2 remain in our atmosphere for centuries. The CO2levels are now close to 400 parts per million (ppm) and rising at a rate of 200 ppm per year. The natural carbon sinks like forests are also depleting at a fast rate eliminating the possibility of ever reaching a net-zero balance.
However, the lockdown was the biggest experiment of how a concerted effort by all countries in reduction in industrial, manufacturing and transportation activities can have a tremendous impact on the climate. Instead of a mandatory lockdown, a voluntary movement to cease operations for a month annually can be achieved. Although the economic shutdown brought about recession and unemployment, a well thought of plan to reduce emissions can be a much needed respite for the environment.
Governments can develop policies to support this movement by giving tax exemption for companies that allow employees to work from home for a month. Subsidies can be given to manufacturers to stop production for a month, allowing them to still provide salaries for workers. Air travel during the month can be penalized with taxes that will discourage people to travel likewise with land transportation. Travelling by sea can become popular again.
On the social front, it can be a month long celebration of the environment with music and cultural festivals. Communities can come together to grow trees and clean our rivers. It would be a month of spiritual uplifting which is slowly fading in our highly digitized lives. It can also be a month to remember all those who passed during the pandemic, to remember how it effected everyone and to ensure it does not happen again.
For a month in a year, the earth can breathe and recuperate from the constant ravaging. It would be one month we can give back for all the bounties we have taken over the years and it is absolutely necessary in order to slow down the CO2 emissions, before we reach the point of no return.
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