The severe coronavirus lockdown restrictions across the world provoked significant drops in carbon emissions, but that won’t make too much of a difference. Global heating was cut by only 0.01C by 2030, a study revealed.
Further analysis suggests that putting the vast sums of post-COVID-19 funding into an eco recovery and shunning fossil fuels would increase our chances of rising global temperatures below 1.5C.
The scientists stated that we are in a very tough spot at the moment in keeping the situation under the limit, in contrast to preindustrial levels.
The world’s governments agreed to the observations to avoid the crushing effects of global heating.
About The Study
The research is mainly based on fresh Google and Apple mobility data, which provides approximately real-time information on travel and work patterns, which gives some insight into the level of emissions.
The data comes from 123 countries that are responsible for about 99% of fossil fuel emissions.
The researchers discovered that the global carbon dioxide levels dropped by over 25% in April 2020, and nitrogen oxides by about a third.
The researchers stated:
“The direct effect of the pandemic-driven [lockdown] will be negligible.”
“In contrast, with an economic recovery tilted towards green stimulus and reductions in fossil fuel investments, it is possible to avoid future warming of 0.3C by 2050,” they added.
Their analysis was led by Professor Piers Forster from the University of Leeds.
A Concerning Situation
The global average temperature in 2019 was 1.1C above the past long-term average, and the current situation foreshadows an increase of 0.6C by 2050.
“It is now make or break for the 1.5C target,” Forster highlighted.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to really change the direction of society. We do not have to go back to where we were, because times of crisis are also the time to change,” he added.