Is Pandemic COVID-19 able to reduce environmental quality?

COVID 19 pandemic has made people around the world worry. Although the impact of COVID-19 was so great, behind the pandemic, the side effects made the blue sky and clear water in Venice to Beijing, Los Angeles to Bangalore

Improved air quality and the global environment are an unexpected impact of the economic slowdown caused by the Corona Virus pandemic COVID-19. This virus has pushed the wheels of the global economy to almost stop when the pandemic hit the world. The number of factories closed and cars parked in the garage, causing air pollution to subside in a number of cities in the world. As in the capital city of China, Beijing, known for its toxic levels that choke the lungs, has an unusual view of the clear sky because factories in the region are stopping production.

Satellite images from the European Space Agency (ESA) show reduced levels of nitrogen dioxide, a by-product of burning fossil fuels which causes respiratory problems. The scene was seen in all major cities on the continent including Paris, Madrid, and Rome when the countries locked down and restricted travel prevented the spread of COVID-19.

The international environmental organization Greenpeace said COVID-19 had a negative impact on trade and the economy. But there are positive effects for the Earth because the industrial activity is restrained, industrial pollution is reduced, and the quality of the environment increases.

Specifically in Jakarta, work from home (WFH) policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as intense rainfall, have improved the capital's air quality. "The rain that fell in Jabodetabek also helped wash the atmosphere from pollution," said Head of the Jakarta Environment Agency, Andono Warih.

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Based on monitoring at five Air Quality Monitoring Stations (SPKU) managed by the DKI Jakarta Environment Office, the results show improvements in air quality, especially decreasing concentrations of PM 2.5 parameters during WFH application. However, WFH is not a single factor to improve Jakarta's air quality. "This decrease is also consistent with the level of rainfall. When rainfall is high, the PM 2.5 parameter concentration shows a decrease and when the days are not raining, the PM 2.5 parameter concentration increases slightly," he said.

In addition, the wind direction also affects the pollutants of this type of PM 2.5 or fine dust particles measuring 25 micrograms / m³. AirVisual Air Quality Index (AQI) monitoring on April 2 at 20.25 WIB shows that Jakarta is ranked 33rd in the order of highly polluted cities, which means Jakarta's air quality is better than 32 other cities in the world, with the Air Quality Index ( AQI) at number 64


Source: https://www.liputan6.com

Climate change already harming the global economy

Never mind what's going to happen in 2100: climate change is already shrinking the global economy.

According to the Climate Vulnerability Monitor – a report by Spanish non-profit organisation DARA – in 2010 climate change shaved 1.6 per cent off global gross domestic product. The figure was calculated by adding the harmful effects of climate change to the problems of the carbon-based economy, such as air pollution.

Previous studies, such as the 2006 Stern Review, concluded that climate change would not become a net cost for decades. But they had not considered climate's impact on productivity. As the temperature increases,people work less well. "It has been assumed that a hotter living and working environment is nothing to worry about," says Tord Kjellström of Umeå University in Sweden. "But the 5 billion people living in the hot parts of this planet are already constrained by heat."

Climate change now costs more than the emissions cuts that are needed to tackle global warming. Such cuts would cost 0.5 per cent of global GDP, whereas the cost of climate change will be 3.2 per cent of GDP by 2030. If the claims stand up, it boosts the case for urgent action, says Cameron Hepburnof the London School of Economics. "Caps on emissions should be much tighter, and carbon prices much higher, than they are now

source: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn22300-climate-change-already-harming-the-global-economy.html

How You Can Fight Global Warming at Home

There are steps you can take to fight global warming in your home and car. You do not have to wait for the government or big businesses to do something about it. It is better to take the initiative and do your part.
In your home, you can begin by changing your light bulbs. You do not have to do it all at once. Every time you change a bulb, though, you can replace the old incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent. Not only does this reduce greenhouse gases, it also saves you money in the long run.

It has always been wise to seal and insulate your home, just for comfort's sake. Now, it is even more important. You can stop your home from emitting greenhouse gases and contributing to global warming by doing this. If you have any doubts about where your home needs insulation, you can hire an energy auditor to help you decide.

You can reduce global warming by simply taking care of the cooling and heating equipment in your home. You can change filters and have the equipment cleaned. Most importantly of all, when the heater or air-conditioner needs to be replaced, get an efficient model that is big enough for your dwelling.

In fact, it makes sense to buy all your appliances with energy efficiency in mind. Energy Star is a rating system that is reserved for efficient products. Buying such products will help decrease global warming.

Recycling is one of the easiest ways to help reduce global warming. Everyone can do it with little effort. You can also further the process by using products that are made from recycled materials.

You can help reduce global warming in your lawn, too. For one thing, you can use a push mower instead of a power mower. Since a push mower uses no energy but your own, this is a great savings. Even if you do use a power mower, you can still help. Use a mower that catches the grass clippings so you can mulch them.

As far as transportation, you can do so much more than buying a green car. You can drive it sensibly, with no rapid starts for instance, to help prevent global warming. If you keep your car well-maintained, it will be beneficial, too. Things like changing your oil and keeping your car tuned up can make a big difference in global warming.

Surprisingly, poorly inflated tires can lead to global warming. This happens because tires must have the proper amount of air in them for the car to reach maximum fuel efficiency. The less efficient your car is, the more it adds to global warming.

The best way to slow global warming by the way you use your car, is to make as few trips as possible. Walk when you can. When you have to drive, combine as many errands into one trip as possible.

If you fight global warming in your home and your car, you can make a difference. Some basic changes can be easily made. If everyone makes these simple changes, it can have a powerful impact on global warming.

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source: http://www.globalwarmingarticle.com/how-you-can-fight-global-warming-at-home.php