China breathes. The reduction in industrial activities, traffic and flights, due to coronavirus, leads to a drastic drop in CO2 emissions and polluting particles.
It is an — almost — pure air that the Chinese have been breathing since the beginning of the year. The coronavirus epidemic, which has become a pandemic, has led to a drop in Chinese industrial activities, traffic restrictions and domestic flights. Results, CO emissions2 have been reduced by 15% to 40% in the industrial sector, reports the site Carbon Brief. Polluting particles have also experienced a marked reduction.
A spectacular fall… before setting off again
Nitrogen dioxide levels, emitted by vehicles or industries through the combustion of fossil fuels, have dropped dramatically. NASA, thanks to readings from the Sentinel-5P satellite of the European Space Agency, was able to measure the significant decrease in rates, which fell from 500 μmol/m2 a year ago to less than 125 μmol/m2 in January 2020. This decline was first observed over the province of Wuhan, where the pandemic was triggered, before taking over the whole country. “This is the first time that I have seen such a spectacular drop over such a large area for a specific event”observes Fei Liu, one of NASA’s air quality researchers.
Pollution monitoring satellites have detected significant decreases in nitrogen dioxide over China. There is evidence that the change is at least partly related to the economic slowdown following the outbreak of coronavirus. Learn more from @NASAEarth: https://t.co/2N9GB8hfnB
—NASA (@NASA) March 1, 2020
However, this significant reduction in air pollution should not last. Once activity resumes, emissions could even increase on average over the year, according to energy consultancy BloombergNEF. He notes that if the authorities initiate an economic recovery plan with major infrastructure works, this will increase the demand for cement and steel, and therefore the quantity of coal consumed. “Those who believe they can welcome a welcome break from the climate emergency must restrain their optimism”said Li Shuo, spokesperson for Greenpeace China, quoted by AFP.
Wildlife, another “winner” of the pandemic
Wildlife could be the other “winner” of the pandemic. China indicated on February 24 that it wanted to put in place a ban “complete” trade and consumption of wild animals, suspected to be at the origin of the pandemic. This measure still needs to be enshrined in law before it can be fully welcomed. “We applaud this ban, which shows that the Chinese government is determined to change a thousand-year-old tradition, totally inappropriate in today’s society”Jeff He, director for China of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (Ifaw), told AFP.
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