Due to Covid-19, many people across the world are staying home in quarantine, which has led to a drastic change in the environment, opening people’s eyes to the effect that humans have on the planet. 

   According to Window to the World (WTTW), The Argonne National Laboratory stated that satellite images are showing a dramatic reduction in pollution due to people reducing their time outdoors (wttw.com). 

   Senior Daniela Aguilar said, “My family and I haven’t gone out much, only for essentials and not using our cars is reducing carbon emissions. Especially since a great amount of people are staying in. People will be much more aware of the damage we cause to earth and how we can help reduce that damage.” 

   According to News12, major contributors to greenhouse gases such as factories, airports, and cars have stopped. This has shown that people have made the adjustments to limit their carbon footprint (news12.com). 

   China, Italy, UK, Germany and many other countries are experiencing temporary carbon and nitrogen falls by as much as forty percent according to The Guardian. In the US, passenger vehicle traffic, which is a big contributor to our carbon footprint, has dropped down by 40 percent as well (theguardian.com). 

   Researchers are trying to figure out whether carbon and pollutant emissions will “bounce back” once this pandemic is over. According to Future, past epidemics have left a reduction of carbon in the air and it is expected COVID-19 will as well. One factor that can affect this outcome will be how long the pandemic lasts; the longer it lasts, the more long-term benefits will be seen in the environment (future.com). 

  According to Economist Stephane Hallegatte from the Brookings Institute, “Renewable energy sources are the least expensive so therefore countries should focus on transitioning towards it as it is also the most cost efficient” (brookings.edu).

   Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven of the Blue Action Fund said, “Although many climate funds are being redirected towards health, that doesn’t mean both are equally important. Shifting from harmful ‘brown’ investments to ‘green’ will benefit both the climate and health. Neither should compete for resources, but instead unite” (brookings.edu).

  Global Director of the NDC Partnership Pablo Vieiera stated, “People are temporarily experiencing cleaner air and water and are seeing how different their lives are with it.” Vieiera continued,  explaining how people are learning to live with a lot less.“This will result in a permanent reduction in the level of consumption” (brookings.edu).

   Canals in Italy are now visibly clear, but according to USA Today, many people believe animals are moving into the canal because of the clear water, but in reality they were always there, just hidden by the murky and polluted water (usatoday.com).