Global Shutdown Becomes Environmental Experiment

[Rhiannon12866]

Pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have decreased across the globe, as countries strive to contain the spread of the coronavirus by ordering people to stay at home.

Among the many unknown facts about this new virus is what kind of long-term impact it will have on the environment.

Since the outbreak in December 2019 and the subsequent pandemic, businesses have shuttered, airlines have slashed services, and more and more people are working from home or not working at all, cutting traffic to a minimum.

The global shutdown has inadvertently become an experiment in the reduction of greenhouse gases.

NASA recently released satellite data of the northeastern U.S., revealing a 30% drop in air pollution over densely populated metropolitan areas. Nitrogen dioxide from transportation fossil fuels and electricity generation shows that March 2020 has the lowest emission levels on record since 2005.

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Increase in plastic waste

Plastic waste has become an issue, as some cities across the globe have halted recycling programs, while officials worry about the risk of spreading the virus in recycling centers.

In Europe, waste disposal options have been reduced. In Italy, infected residents have been banned from sorting waste.

Adding to the increase in plastic waste is the high demand for essential products such as bottled water, face masks, medical gloves, sanitary wipes and hand sanitizer.


Read more: https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/global-shutdown-becomes-environmental-experiment



FILE - Framed by saguaro cactus, the downtown Phoenix skyline is easier to see, as fewer motorists in Arizona are driving, following the state stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus, April 7, 2020.



FILE - A woman wearing a face mask and a plastic bag pulls a cart loaded with bags of recyclables through the streets of Lower Manhattan during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus In New York City, April 16, 2020.

[SheltieLover]

1. And they still don't get the message.

TY for this great post.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Thanks!

As we're in the process of learning, there are unintended consequences in this global experiment - and there's no way of predicting what they're going to be.

[Duppers]

3. "Risk of spreading the virus in recycling centers"

"...cities across the globe have halted recycling programs, while officials worry about the risk of spreading the virus in recycling centers."

I was guessing this last night and mentioned it to hubby when I was sorting our recycled stuff. "Should I just put all of this in the trash?"





Thanks for posting this, Rhiannon!