As we have discussed in the 2 previous posts, one of the main contributors to air pollution is smog from transportation, Producing carbon dioxides, sulfur dioxides & nitrogen oxides.
However, during the recent lockdowns happening across the globe due to Covid-19, a downward trend of these pollutants are observed.
Pollutants such as Nitrogen Dioxide, PM2.5, Carbon Monoxide & Sulfur Dioxide are seen in decreasing in trends from the diagrams below
China
PM2.5 Nitrate, weekly averages in China. Image: Reuters Graphic
Emissions in China. Image: Reuters Graphics
As seen from the diagram above the emission of PM2.5 can be seen reducing during the lockdown period in china.
With the low number of vehicles on the road, we can see a reduction in the emission of nitrogen dioxide.
South Korea
In early March there was a large increase in COVID cases in South Korea. Even though they did not impose a full lockdown but due to the restriction measures imposes there, there some decrease in the pollutants as can be seen in the diagrams below.
Monthly averages of micrograms per cubic meter, in Seoul, 2014-2020. Image: Reuters Graphics
Italy
Just like china, Italy also had a large amount of COVID 19 infections and they imposed a lockdown too
Emissions in Italy. Image: Reuters Graphics
India
In India, even though the lockdown wasnt totally implemented, but due to their restrictions in the city. The emission of smog can be seen reduced in the graphics below.
Image: Bhushan Kumar, Sunil Kataria / Reuters.
As seen from all the diagrams above, we can see that even though the lockdown is not something that we like as it disrupts our work and education, but this is a positive outcome that resulted from it. This proves that if we are able to work together and reduce the traffics and operations from power plants we can reduce the emissions of pollutants.
References:
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/coronavirus-covid19-air-pollution-enviroment-nature-lockdown
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