Journal of Global Resources
Volume 6 (01a)https://doi.org/10.46587/JGR.2020.v06si01.011

Special Issue June 2020
Page 79-85
ISSN: 2455-2445 (Online)

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PANDEMICS ARE EARTH CLEANSERS: IT IS AN EYE OPENER
Sabir Khan1 and Shilpi Yadav2
Research Assistant, Department of Geography, Sophia Girls’ College, Ajmer, (Raj.) India
Email: sabirkhan89.gis@gmail.com
2Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Sophia Girls’ College, Ajmer, (Raj.) India
Email: shilpiyadav.gis@gmail.com
1Abstract: “A crisis gives us the opportunity to practice our creativity, for it makes us think outsidethe box” (Abhijit Naskar). In this negativity let’s spread some positivity. So, we can easily face thepandemic situation and we will do something for our country or nature. “Life calls the tune, wedance.” (John Galsworthy). This statement is very true that we all are dancing to the tune ofcoronavirus which Nature is playing for the improvement of the environment while man suffers,nature prospers. The coronavirus is changing everything from air services to the economic
activities — and it's also having a big impact on the environment. Some of those are positive - alarge (albeit likely temporary) drop in carbon dioxide emissions as factories close and the economy
stutters — while others are negative. COVID-19 is causing global trade to be disrupted, flights arebeing cancelled, and many people are now working or staying at home. Life, as we know it, haschanged beyond all recognition…for the moment. Coronavirus has taken a lot of lives across theworld until now. As soon as we switch on the television or the radio our ears are flooded withsimilar negative news from all around the world. To prevent the spread of COVD-19, governmentsof different nations are taking multiple steps and doing all that can be done to control the spread of
the virus. However, if we pay close attention to everything that is happening around us owing to thespread of this virus, we will notice that all the negative effects of coronavirus are restricted to
mankind only. As far as our owners of the earth are concerned, the flora and fauna as well as
nature itself, are enjoying the positives from this deadly virus. It seems as if the plants and animals
are reclaiming the land that we forgot to share with them or rather snatched from them. Also, it isquite vivid that the environment seems to have pressed the hidden reset button that it had, toreplenish itself. All of these can be categorized as the positive side effects of COVID-19. But it isalso having some interesting positive effects on the environment such as Clear Sky, Pollution free,
go for green, self-awareness regarding the environment, responsibilities towards the country, lackof pressure on resources, family united again etc.
Key words: Corona Virus; Environment; Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Resources, Economy
Introduction
The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic
beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity… that’s all there is. That’s the whole economy. That’s
where all the economic activity and jobs come from. These biological systems are the sustaining
wealth of the world (Gaylord Nelson). This statement is apt into this pandemic situation because
we all are forgetting about nature as we run behind the economy. But we don’t understand that oureconomy is totally based on nature, or we can say directly or indirectly our all actions areassociated with the environment. Nowadays, we all can see that because of our greedinesstowards the economy, the whole world is suffering due to this virus. And this pandemic situation
makes for reflection for everyone. Coronavirus threatens humanity; every country has suffered due
79to this virus. Many thousands of people have died every day. This is a very critical or negative
situation for everyone. But in this negativity there is some positivity is also found. We can see theenvironment again flourish day by day. The impact of coronavirus on the environment ispositive. Here are eight ways coronavirus is already having an effect:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Air Pollution
Water Pollution
Consumption of Co2 is a decrease
Climate Change
Wildlife / Fauna
Go Green Concept
National & International Unity
Inverse Relation between environment and the Economy of the Nation.

No Crisis of Air Pollution / Lowered Pollution
Transport makes up 23 percent of the world’s global carbon emissions (The International AirTransport Association (IATA)), but thanks to airports closing and companies like Emirates
grounding their flights, there are fewer planes in the sky, meaning a lot fewer air pollutants andgreenhouse gases being emitted. In fact, not only has this led to less pollution in the air, but air
quality has improved significantly, and the earth’s ozone layer is cooling down and recovering. Oneof the main impacts of the coronavirus outbreak has been a significant drop in air pollution in many
parts of the world. Most notably seen in developed, or developing, industrial nations like China,India, USA and in Europe, the drop shows just how much industrial activity has been shut down asof late. Satellite imagery from the likes of NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) has been
seen by many experts as "the largest scale experiment ever" in terms of reduction in emissions
around the world. Data from satellites like the ESA's Sentinel-5P Satellite over the last few weeks
have shown a significant drop in polluting gases like nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
Nitrogen dioxide is mainly produced by car engines, power plants, and other industrial
processes; it is believed that be the cause for a myriad of health problems, especially respiratory
illnesses like asthma. One of the largest drops in the gas has been seen in Wuhan, Central China.
The city has been under strict lockdown since January.

Satellite Image of China
Satellite Image of Italy
Most of its 11 million inhabitants have been confined to their homes and industry, plus travel
effectively came to a halt. This resulted in a 10-30 percent drop in emissions over the period. The80

above satellite images of China and Italy taken by NASA. You can see the NO 2 level drop down up
to the 30 percent approx within one year.
Air Pollution in India
In India, Delhi is one of the most polluted Cities is World. It is PM 2.5 AQI (Air Quality Index) is
about 858 in 2019 but after lockdown, the PM 2.5 AQI is 42 at present. Indian cities are breathingeasy. Air quality in Delhi, notorious for being the worst in the world, is now a “healthy zone” thanks
to the nationwide, 21-day lockdown to contain the spread of Covid-19. Other metropolitan and tier2 cities too are witnessing a similar trend.

Air Quality difference within one year in India
Since March 25, India has shut down offices, schools, cinema halls, malls, markets, andnon-essential service providers. All modes of public transport such as metro trains, buses, interstate trains, and domestic and international flights for civilian movement have also been stopped.

In this graph you can see how much the NO2 emission has decreased after lockdown in India.

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Air Quality difference in Delhi City (Source: www.hindustantimes.com)

Satellite images show a significant reduction in haze caused by pollution across northern India and Pakistanfrom the middle of November 2019 compared to April 12, 2020.

No Crises of River Pollution
The Venice canals are clearer than ever…
Italy may be suffering from some of the worst cases of Coronavirus but perhaps a small victory forthe country is that the canals of Venice now boast crystal clear waters. With tourists numbers
culled because of the virus, the waters in Venice's canals are cleaner than they have been in living
memory. With things like motorboats effectively "grounded", sediment churning and other waterpollutants have dropped dramatically. In most areas of Venice, residents have been amazed by
how clear the water has become. So much so, in fact, that fish can be seen once again in thecanals. Similarly, China’s rivers are also clean due to the lockdown.

82After A Long Time India is Free from Water Pollution
River Yamuna: The River Yamuna Water is clearer than the past few years and lockdown may
explain this. In the lockdown situation many industrial units are shut. That is why the flow ofpollutants is not taking place in the river. Within 9 days of the lockdown, the water of river Yamuna
was clean, this is also a signal that we should take care of the nature, and we should be with theenvironment”. It seems that the way Corona affects our body similarly these contaminatedpollutants are also affect the body of rivers which makes river died“. Therefore the government
should avoid the flow of contaminated water or pollutants in the water bodies and government
should make a proper functioning plan for industrial pollutants. River Ganga is the holy river for
India, but due to religious rituals and culture, this river water is also contaminated. After thelockdown this river is also clean because of lack of tourism activities now days.

River Yamuna & River Ganga (Before & After)
Wildlife / Animal LifeSea turtles laid sixty million eggs thanks to empty beaches…Pollution levels have reduced
drastically and animals are reclaiming the streets. Coronavirus seems to be helping nature recoup.
There is good news from Orissa where the Olive Ridley sea turtles have arrived for nesting and thelockdown is providing perfect conditions for them. They have come in thousands along the sixkilometre long Rushikulya beach of Orissa’s Ganjam district in the last five days. These rare sea
turtles known for mass nesting, come to the Orissa coast every year for nesting. According to theOrissa Wildlife Organization (OWO), nearly 50 percent of the world’s Olive Ridley turtle population
comes here to reproduce.
Climate is no Longer the Crisis
In the world, the climatic crisis is no longer; due to the Coronavirus, everyone is lockdown andstayed at home. No one moves outside of their houses. All the Social, Cultural and Economic
activities are shut. That is why the pollution level has decreasing day by day. We can see a clear
blue sky; temperature is also decreased with no traffic congestion, Quality of Air is good nowadays.
This is a good signal for us.
No Traffic Congestion
Shutting down the educational institutes, offices, industries and practically everything places
where people would gather in large masses or numbers during the 30 days of lockdown.
Movement is restricted. No one is traveling. Movement of vehicles or traveling is strictly
restricted, especially in cities like Jaipur, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata etc.
This has significantly reduced travel time for emergency services. For example, a cab drivefrom Kukas to Bagru in Jaipur would otherwise take 1 hour and 45 minutes, which has now
been reduced to just 40 minutes only.

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No Noise Pollution‘No Honking’ / No Horn Please means no noise pollution was one of the most flouted rules
especially in the large cities like Delhi and Mumbai as passengers would use loud horns neara hospital or medical infrastructure and educational zones. As we are now in self -isolation orquarantine due to lockdown, again the sounds of birds chirping are a blessing for humanity.
Birds are spreading happiness in this negativity with their chirping sound.
Reducing Carbon Emission
Scientists have been requesting countries for years to take action toward decreasing carbon
consumption. This is the first time in history that all carbon-producing economies have goneunder lockdown at the same time. Amazing results were found. NASA has revealed thatlevels of carbon monoxide were 30-45 percent reduction in the atmosphere in China inespecially February and early March in the year 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.
In Delhi, the air quality is also ‘Good’ & ‘Pure” and people are happy a posting pictures of thepollution-free city and clear blue sky on social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.
Inverse Relation between Environment and Economy of the Nation
We can see that whenever the economy diminishes, carbon emission also decreases; on the otherhand, the environment flourishes day by day. In this graph, you can see that economy drop in 2008
when the global financial crises, so carbon emission also went down, similarly in the AsianFinancial crisis, Fall of the USSR, Second Oil Crisis, First Oil Crisis & Corona Virus pandemic, inall this crisis or situation economy definitely drop down side by side carbon emission was also
reduced, meanwhile the environment flourishes.

International Unity
Last but not the least; countries have pushed aside trade wars, border disputes, illegal
immigration and other issues. Rival countries have joined their hands in fighting the common
enemy (Covid – 19). Many countries are offering help to each other in the testing times. Like
India is to supply these essential drugs to approx. 50 countries who have been particularly badly
affected by pandemic; countries like the United States, Spain, Italy etc. have been seeking India's
help to allow the sale of hydroxychloroquine tablets to treat the growing number of coronavirus
patients

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Conclusion
Short Term Positive Impact: It's just a temporary effect. It won’t cause any drop in the climatechange which has been the favourite activity to work upon of our specie. Not even a bit. Just as thelockdown is lifted we responsible human beings are going to cover-up all these few changes whichhave come during the lockdown with an overwhelming faster rate. So stop celebrating. Years ofstabbing requires years of medication and care. Unless major steps are taken towards maintaining
the current environmental situation for at least 10 years, no differentiable difference would bevisible next year. Increasing PM 2.5 is the major cause of Asthma. Every year so many people losttheir lives due to the Asthmatic attack. 4 Million Deaths from PM 2.5 worldwide every year. At
present scenario PM2.5 level is dropping rapidly, so definitely the death rate should alsodecreased. So one of the studies of China, tell if we compare the mortality rate with PM 2.5 (AirQuality), Corona virus lock down likely saved 77,000 lives in China just by reducing air pollution. If
we control the PM 2.5 levels in our country, so we can easily control over the death causalities
worldwide.
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