Social Distancing's Impact on Climate Change

Written by: Chloe Maher 

Despite social distancing's negative effect on our daily lives, it has proven to be surprisingly beneficial for the Earth. Because people aren’t leaving their houses or gathering in large groups, less energy is in uses and thus there is less pollution in the atmosphere,

Two of the largest contributors of human pollution in fact have been largely eliminated. As  people have abstained from leaving their homes, there’s less pollution being emitted from planes and cars. Meaning, Americans currently living in suburbia are largely decreasing their carbon footprint, as nonessential commutes are eliminated. However, Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit and a former New York Times reporter suggests environmental improvements are guaranteed to reverse after the pandemic is over, meaning current decreases in pollution and emissions are likely unsustainable, unfortunately.

However, on the bright side, social distancing has proven the impact of environmental preservation, at least for a short while. For example, in Italy, nitrogen dioxide rates have dropped by around 40 percent, according to the Independent, and fish are swimming in the normally polluted canals of Venice. Oil production has also slowed in the Middle East, due to decreased demand for oil. Perhaps, we should keep the effects of social distancing in mind after the pandemic comes to a close, as social distancing is definitely good for the planet.

Source: The Independent

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