The Intermediate Guide to Impact Of Coronavirus On Nature

Human population plays a major role in this climate change causing nature being drastically affected. The lockdown caused by the spread of coronavirus has resulted in numerous changes causing year 2020 to witness a drastic impact on nature.

Concentration of NO₂ Fallen Drastically

Due to lockdown the number of cars plying on the road have become less. Factories have shut down causing concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the air to fall drastically. NO₂ which causes enormous inflammation to one’s breathing pipes which can lead to problems such as asthma.

Evolution of NO2 concentrations in some regions of China
Evolution of NO2 concentrations in some regions of Europe

Levels Of Particulate Matter Have Reduced

Particulate matter 2.5 or PM 2.5 is one of the most harmful forms of air pollution. It is included in the category of group 1 carcinogen. It is so small that it can travel from your lungs into your bloodstrea. Thus, causing respiratory problems and also premature death due to heart attack. In an estimated report by WHO, every year 4 million people are killed due to PM 2.5.

Due to lockdown following Covid-19 the levels have reduced worldwide. Thus providing a view of the clean blue sky in different cities across the country. A scientific research done by Stanford University collected the data of PM 2.5 levels in the Chinese cities. The results were compared to the mortality rate to observe what impact falling PM 2.5 levels would have on them. The research concluded that in just one month more than 77,000 lives were saved due to decreased air pollution.

Sacred River Ganga Flows Cleaner

One of the major impact of coronavirus on nature The sacred river Ganga flows cleaner in Haridwar, Varanasi as industrial discharge remains low, amid lockdown. Dr P.K Mishra an IIT Professor in BHU stated that a 40-50% improvement has been seen in water quality of Ganga.

Biggest decline in carbon dioxide emission after World War Ⅱ

Massive decline in carbon dioxide emissions the transportation, travel has been on a halt. Experts and predicting that this is the biggest decline in carbon dioxide emission after World War Ⅱ, approximately a decline of 5%

Since the last 60 year worldwide carbon emissions have been steadily rising every year which made climate change from bad to worse.

Reduction in Waste and Controlled Noise Pollution 

Lockdown and Social Distancing have resulted in the reduction in waste generated by tourists who visit the beaches.The pollution level in tourist spots such as forests, sea beaches, hill areas etc. is also shrinking largely.  Likewise, noise levels have fallen significantly in most countries. The decrease in the use of private and public transportation, as well as commercial activities, has caused a reduction in noise.

Increase in Medical Waste

Medical waste is also on the rise. Hospitals in Wuhan produced an average of 240 metric tons of medical waste per day during the outbreak. In other countries such as the USA, there has been an increase in garbage from personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves 

Suspended Recycling Programs

Despite the positive indirect effects on the environment, the new coronavirus has also generated negative indirect ones. Some cities in the USA have suspended recycling programs because authorities have been concerned about the risk of spreading the virus in recycling centers. On the other hand, in the European nations particularly affected, sustainable waste management has been restricted. For example, Italy has prohibited infected residents from sorting their waste.


People have started acknowledging the change and biodiversity around them. Wildlife has had a surprising impact due to lockdown. Numerous videos have become viral in which rarely seen animals have come out on deserted streets. Empty streets, city’s closed factories and quiet skies are now dominated by animals and birds all over the world!

Recently in Navi Mumbai Flamengo arrived in huge quantities this year providing the residents a beautiful sight to feast on.

The people in Nepal have witnessed rhinoceros walking down the streets. The residents of Chandigarh have spotted a leopard. The shores of Mumbai are being greeted by dolphins. Prides of pee fouls have become regular visitors at the various locations. A lot more sighting of wildlife on the streets with humans are in a lockdown

In a recent video by the World Economic Forum, it was highlighted how nature is under threat during a pandemic.

  • Poaching is on the rise in parts of Africa, India and South America
  • Since communities struggle to find food and guards have been laid off, more deforestation is reported from Brazil to Cambodia, and Peru; with criminals taking advantage of fewer policing resources.
  • Across the world, people have returned to rural areas after losing work in cities, putting even more pressure on natural resources with more hunting, fishing and logging.


Since the last 60 years worldwide carbon emissions have been steadily rising every year making climate change from bad to worse. Whenever there have been drops in carbon emissions, there has been a drop in the Global Financial Crisis, for example me in 2008.

Another drop was noticed in the Asian Financial Crisis, and when the USSR broke up and the carbon emission had reduced. Similar things happened during the first and second oil crisis.

The pattern is that whenever the economy crashes, the carbon emissions go down and those are the times it is a good news for the environment. There is an unfortunate inverse relation here between economy and environment. 

This is happening because our economy is extremely interlinked with fossil fuels, coal, oil, petroleum, and all the other non renewable forms of energy today. These run transportation sector, manufacturing industry and are responsible for the electricity generation worldwide.

This is the reason why the transport industry reaches a halt and then the carbon emission goes down. When electricity demands fall worldwide then the carbon emissions go down and this is the reason that when the lockdown is over, the world becomes normal again.
Carbon emissions are falling sharply due to coronavirus, but unfortunately not for long.

The entire situation will revert to the same as soon as the lockdown is withdrawn. For if measures are not taken there changes will prove to be temporary. The financial crash of 2008-09 led to an overall dip in emissions of 1.3%. But this quickly rebounded by 2010 as the economy recovered, leading to an all-time high.

But experts say protecting nature should take priority during the pandemic. Otherwise we risk causing more outbreaks like Covid-19. As species threatened by exploitation, habitat loss are twice as likely to be sources of infectious diseases. So restoring the ecosystem is vital for preventing future pandemics.

Rebuilding economies in a greener way is essential to recovery as the pandemic proved how we depend on nature for survival.

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