Environmental Impact of a Lockdown

With around 20% of the global population under lockdown, the novel coronavirus pandemic has brought life to a standstill across many nations. With people forced to stay home to maintain social distancing,transport, industries, hospitality and F&B services are operating in minimal capacity. Bustling cities have transformed into ghost towns with deserted streets, shops and parks. While the lockdown has been imposed in cities across the world with the intention of controlling the pandemic outbreak, it has shown an impact on the global environment as well.

Global emissions have drastically reduced for major cities across the world. The Air quality Index, which measures levels of nitrous oxide and PM 2.5, has shown a decline globally with reduction in vehicular and industrial pollution. The PM 2.5 levels for India have dropped from 167 in the first week of January to 96 as of 29th March. The nitrous dioxide concentration in the same period has fallen from 18 to 5. The Janata Curfew, which imposed a days’ lockdown in the country, saw air pollution levels drop by 60% in Kolkata, 61% in Mumbai, and 26% in Delhi. Countries like China, Italy, France and Spain have also seen pollutant levels plummet in the weeks following the lockdown.

In wake of the suspension of commercial air travel, which amounted to 12% or 918 MMT of carbon dioxide emissions in 2019, the likely reduction in air and noise pollution has followed through. Urban travel is responsible for 60% of passenger traffic emissions.With schools, universities and offices operating virtually, urban mobility has been severely restricted. This paints an encouraging picture for the environment. The sale of fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel have fallento 45% and 40% respectively,compared to an average day.

Electricity demand from industries accounts for over two-fifths of the annual electricity consumption in India. The lockdown caused electricity usage to fall by 9.2% in March and major industrial states like Gujrat , Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu showed a decline by 20-30% in electricity consumption. Agricultural states of Punjab and Haryana also showed a steep decline.

China contributes to 30% of the global carbon dioxide emissions annually.In the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak in the country and the subsequent lockdown, these levels have fallen 25% below the usual levels. The coronavirus outbreak will see a major economic slowdown, leading to fall in consumption levels and a decline in greenhouse gas emissions.In another positive impact, with beaches being devoid of human activities , the coast of Odisha witnessed over 4,75,000 endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles ashore dig their nests and lay eggs.

The outbreak and quarantining period may not be all good for the environmental narrative. Gloves and face masks being used as a precautionary measure will soon be negligently tossed around. The gloves made of latex or nitrile take time to degrade in the environment. This waste will end up in landfills and be a hazard for people and environment. The need for sanitisation and disinfection, the excessive usage of detergents and higher water consumption is bound to result in a large environmental crisis. The usage of LPG in India will also see a major increase.

While the lockdown has left people devoid of social contact and physical mobility, the environment too is taking a breather for now. These changes are temporaryand unsustainable given that once the outbreak is controlled, and people hit the streets ,the carbon footprint will be restored to its original detrimental levels. The lockdown is a stark reminder of the fact that control of anthropogenic pollution will require concerted initiative by all parties at the local as well as global levels.While a forced lockdown may not be the most appropriate way to cut down pollution, it could be the start of something concrete in the domain of environment protection and preservation.