Currently all people around the world are experiencing a health emergency caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This virus is bringing different consequences with it for the world, some expected like the economic crisis and some others somewhat unexpected like the positive impact that social isolation has generated on the environment.
Although this environmental pause is probably only temporary, the Covid-19 virus has made major indirect contributions to the environmental problems we face today.
These unexpected benefits have come about as a result of restrictions imposed to deal with the pandemic: staying home, closing factories and shops, travel restrictions and low fossil fuel consumption of the population.
CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions are the main cause for climate change in the world and these emissions were significantly reduced in countries affected by the Coronavirus. According to the BBC Covid has achieved a fall of at least 25% of carbon dioxide emissions in China alone (where the virus was born), which represents a reduction of 6% worldwide.
Similarly, the mandatory social isolation implemented to prevent the spread of the virus caused the canals of Venice, Italy, which are normally clogged with gondolas and tourist boats, to now appear clear, crystalline and with some aquatic animals such as fish, swans and ducks. Another example of this type was seen in our country, Mexico, as at Ventanilla beach in Oaxaca, the crocodiles came out of their hiding places and returned to the beach in the absence of tourists, merchants and fishermen in the area.
Climate relief is directly linked to the drastic reduction of the population’s daily and industrial activities. It is curious to think that the deceleration of people’s mobility, besides promoting the care of our health, is also a very positive result for our planet and our environment.
Taking care of the planet we live in is possible thanks to the fundamental contribution of each and one of its inhabitants and the decisions we make every day. Our mission is to ensure that environmental problems are not forgotten when the pandemic ends, and to do this we must use this as an opportunity to adapt to new models of life and think about a green and peaceful future.
For all this to be possible, a good start is to contribute to environmental education; it is extremely important that children know and understand the actions needed to take care of the environment from an early age.
Caring for the environment starts with everyday activities and habits such as cooking, transportation, buying products, travelling, etc. All this we do in our home, school, work and community.
So how can we contribute to the care of the environment according to the space we live in?
On the street:
- Don´t litter.
- Avoiding the burning of garbage and other objects.
In school:
- Use containers that can be used many times to transport food or water.
- Use the sheets of paper on both sides.
- Try to eat fruits and vegetables during pauses.
- Separate the garbage according to its specific area (inorganic, organic, cans, bottles, etc.).
At home:
- Separate the garbage according to its specific area (inorganic, organic, cans, bottles, etc.).
- Disconnect electronic devices after use.
- Turn off the light when not in a room.
- Save water, turn off the tap while not using it.
During transportation:
- Reduce the use of your car.
- Try to travel with other people or in public transport.
Being informed, raising one’s voice, and acting on environmental issues is fundamental to start making changes in the world, regardless of times of social isolation. Knowing the problems that exist in the community, in the country and the world is necessary to understand that each of the individual actions has a positive or negative impact on our ecosystems.
To reinforce this knowledge in an entertaining way for your children, we recommend you play Amicu in TAK-TAK-TAK, a video game focused on the care of the planet, where they will learn about the effects of polluting the air, water and soil, and create awareness about the use and exploitation of resources to take care of the planet. Enter taktaktak.com, learn and implement actions at home that can benefit the environment!
Sources:
BBC News Mundo. Coronavirus: Los inesperados beneficios de la epidemia covid-19 para el medioambiente. (2020) https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-51664432
Greenpeace. Covid-19, clima y medio ambiente: las 5 respuestas que tenés que saber. (2020) https://www.greenpeace.org/argentina/blog/4269/covid-19-clima-y-medio-ambiente-las-5-respuestas-que-tenes-que-saber/
Greenpeace México. 40 tips para cuidar el planeta. (2018) https://www.greenpeace.org/mexico/blog/1405/40-tips-para-cuidar-el-planeta/
Gobierno de México. Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales. Acciones para cuidar el medio ambiente. https://www.gob.mx/semarnat/acciones-y-programas/acciones-para-cuidar-el-medio-ambiente-17102
El Universal. Así se ven los canales de Venecia durante la cuarentena por el coronavirus. (2020) https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/mundo/fotos-asi-se-ven-los-canales-de-venecia-por-el-covid-19
Milenio. Cocodrilos “aprovechan” contingencia de covid-19 para volver a playas de Oaxaca. (2020) https://www.milenio.com/estados/cocodrilos-retoman-playas-oaxaca-contingencia-coronavirus
