Can we get something positive out of the coronavirus?

Can we get something positive out of the coronavirus? Well, yes, no matter how hard it is to think positively about a disease that worries us so much. Las environmental consultants we are used to analyzing all aspects, favorable and unfavorable, of a common cause. Logically, not all impacts have the same value and must be properly weighted. Given so much information about COVID-19, we wanted to highlight some of its benefits.

Reducing pollution

This unexpected consequence has been that in the original country of this virus, China, Carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by 25%. The world's great factory has resented the measures taken by the government. The country that contributes the most to climate change is now no longer so. This is indicated by different indicators:

• The use of coal in power plants, oil refineries and steel mills has reached minimum values in recent years.
• Air pollution levels of NO2 fell by 36% compared to last year.
• Domestic flights are down 70% compared to last month.

Already in previous cases, such as the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull in 2010, we could see this type of side effects when 2,800,000 tons of CO2 were reduced (reads quickly right?) due to the cancellation of thousands of flights in Europe.

Another positive aspect, environmentally speaking

Biodiversity could also benefit. The fact is that the Wuhan market where the outbreak is suspected of originating is known for the illegal trade in wild animals. Its quarantining may be a rest for different species of mammals and reptiles. Mammals such as the reviled bats, which have suffered another blow to their bad reputation. We recommend you read this article from Bat Conservation Trust to learn the truth about the bat-coronavirus binomial.

Good news

It is true that these improvements in the environment will probably be temporary, but in order not to fall into discouragement again, we want to remember others Good news About the coronavirus:

1. We know the enemy: despite the fact that the virus has only been with us for a few months, we have perfectly detailed its genome. We also have highly refined tests that allow us to identify it. We know that it is a virus that survives poorly in the environment and that is why washing your hands is the most effective measure to prevent contagion.
2. We are winning battles: the number of confirmed and suspected cases in China continues to fall and many other foci are under control. Most cases are mild (81%) and are cured, especially those under 40 years of age. Only 2 people out of every 1,000 cases do not outgrow the disease in this age group.
3. Reinforcements are on the way: scientists from all over the world have made their research on the virus public (more than 200 articles this year alone) and numerous vaccine candidates are being developed and antivirals.

There is no doubt that the relationship between society and the environment is always complex. For this reason, it is very important to try to understand the links between human activity and the environment from a multidisciplinary perspective in order to reduce their impacts without losing sight of the social and economic consequences of each event.