Coronavirus: Earth’s unlikely
ally
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| A forest in Poland (ANSA) |
The changes in human behavior due to the Covid-19 virus
pandemic are yielding unintended benefits to the planet
By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ
The coronavirus pandemic is a global health concern. Almost
every country has adopted some form of precautionary measure against the spread
of the Covid-19 virus. In many places, borders are closed, workplaces shut
down, international air travel restricted and people have been asked to stay
indoors.
The reduction in human activity is having an unintended
benefit: Earth is healing herself.
Signs of regeneration
In Italy, fish have returned to the canals in Venice. Less
tourism and water transport have allowed the murky waters to settle. Migratory
birds, including swans have been sighted gliding through the city’s waterways.
China, the world’s largest carbon emitter, now has a
significant decrease in the concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the air. NASA
attributes this to the decline of economic and industrial activities during the
coronavirus outbreak.
Hong Kong, a city that has struggles with air pollution, has
seen an improvement in its air quality. Key air pollutants dropped by nearly a
third from January to February this year.
The global reduction in air, land and sea travel is yielding
benefits for the planet as carbon emission sees a projected decline. Air travel
alone contributes more than two percent of global carbon emissions.
Lessons for the future
The quick response of many countries in the face of the
coronavirus pandemic indicates how much more can be done for the planet.
Some countries are already preparing to restart their
economies after the pandemic. Many see this as an opportunity to consider
sustainable options.
The Church’s approach
In his 2015 Encyclical on the care of our common Home
(Laudato si’), Pope Francis highlights the urgency of taking care of the
earth. Lamenting the effect of human activity on the planet, he says
“Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last
two hundred years.”
“Humanity still has the ability to work together in building
our common home… Truly, much can be done.”
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