COVID-19 IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESET OUR ENVIRONMENTAL FUTURE

By -


Local air and water quality have dramatically improved in several areas that have implemented shutdowns.

Emissions have dropped, and worldwide, the demand for coal and oil is lower than it has been in a long time ­– due in large part to the decline in demand from transport and slowdown in manufacturing.

Reports of animals coming out to breed and play while humans are locked inside are being celebrated, and the profile of the illegal wildlife trade issue has been raised.

But we need to be careful about extrapolating these benefits or claiming an environmental win. The unprecedented situation we are facing at the moment is still unfolding, and much will depend on what happens next.

We can’t tackle climate change the same way that we are approaching coronavirus. Nonetheless, the COVID-19 crisis offers a critical opportunity for the environment in two key respects.

First, the response to COVID-19 has demonstrated what can be done differently.
It’s forced us to alter our behaviour in significant ways, not all of which will necessarily reverse after restrictions are lifted.

In future, we may see less unnecessary interstate and international travel after experiencing success with remote online meetings, conferences, and even court hearings.

More reading here 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Scientists warn worse pandemics are on the way if we don’t protect nature

By -
Image
·        Pandemics like COVID-19 could occur more frequently unless we stop rapidly destroying nature, a group of biodiversity experts has warned ·        1.7 million unidentified viruses, known to infect humans, are estimated to exist in mammals and water birds. ·        Rampant deforestation, agricultural expansion and infrastructure development bring us closer to catching them.   A group of biodiversity experts warned that future pandemics are on the horizon if mankind does not stop its rapid destruction of nature. "There is a single species that is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic – us. As with the climate and biodiversity crises, recent pandemics are a direct consequence of human activity – particularly our global financial and economic systems, based on a limited paradigm that prizes economic growth at any cost. We have a small window of opportunity, in overcoming the challenges of the current crisis, to avoid sowing the seeds of future ones," the authors
Read more

How has coronavirus affected rhinos?

By -
Image
Coronavirus has affected people all over the world but it's also had a knock on impact on animals like rhinos. Now that most of the world is in lockdown and people can't visit the reserves where they live, the money to help the rhinos has dried up. Money from tourism and conservation charities helps pay the wages of people who look after endangered rhinos and anti-poaching rangers who help protect the animals from harm. It's thought that because of this illegal poaching could increase - putting these animals at even more risk. More Reading Here 
Read more