COVID-19 & Carbon Emissions

Covid-19 is an unfortunate reality check that we need to find a way to offset our emissions without having to close industries and business down.

As the world essentially goes into lockdown in an effort to stop the Covid-19 pandemic, it has brought a sudden drop in carbon emissions. Which is some positive news during a time of uncertainty and stress. 

We have to keep the planet in our minds

But while the world focuses on the more urgent concern of immediately saving lives, we need to make sure that the climate crisis is not completely off people’s minds. We cannot become complacent. While it’s safe to say that no one wanted emissions to be lowered this way, it raises the question: How do we find a long term solution to offsetting our emissions, without having to shut the world down?  

The effect of coronavirus on emissions

People across the world are being told to stay at home to avoid spreading coronavirus. This has led to many industries being shut down and as industries, transport networks and businesses have closed down, carbon emissions have dropped. Transport, as an example, makes up 23% of global carbon emissions. These emissions have all fallen in the short term and are fundamentally giving our planet some respite.

In China, emissions fell 25% at the start of the year. Compared with this time last year, levels of pollution in New York have reduced by nearly 50% because of measures to contain coronavirus.

The response to this pandemic shows us that as a planet we are capable of change. 

“It… shows that at the national, or international level, if we need to take action, we can,” Donna Green, associate professor at University of New South Wales’s Climate Change Research Centre in New Zealand, told CNN. 

Emissions are expected to rise again

But a global pandemic is not a way of bringing about environmental change and providing a lasting impact. We know that previous economic disruption, diseases and wars have reduced global emissions in the past (the 2008 global financial crisis (GFC) lowered emissions by 1.3%). But in each of the above mentioned occasions’ emissions have gone up again — and at a higher level than those experienced prior to a crisis — following an economic recovery.

If history is to be repeated, our emissions will increase when we come out of this. 

So, what can we learn from this pandemic about how we can collectively come together to save our planet? 

While we are all practicing self-distancing and self-isolation, we have an opportunity to reflect of our own individual footprint, consumption and the effect we have on the planet. We have an opportunity to create new habits and find ways to reduce our footprint.

But we need a long term solution to offset the impact we humans have on our planet without shutting industries down. 

What the world collectively has had to do during this pandemic, to reduce global emissions significantly, is not favourable for anyone. This is not sustainable or desirable.

There is a solution

We don’t have to go through this magnitude of change and disruption to actually make a difference. There is an alternative option to save our planet and save our rainforests which provide us with the oxygen we need to breathe. 

We simply need to offset our footprint so that our impact on the planet is neutral.

We need to keep the movement going so that we can leave our planet for future generations. Because tomorrow is too late.

Find out what your footprint is and what your environmental rent you should be paying.