The COVID-19 Lockdown And Its Shocking Effect On Climate Change

The COVID-19 Lockdown And Its Shocking Effect On Climate Change
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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.


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Anna is an avid blogger with an educational background in medicine and mental health. She is a generalist with many other interests including nutrition, women's health, astronomy and photography. In her free time from work and writing, Anna enjoys nature walks, reading, and listening to jazz and classical music.

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