In the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown of China, satellite images showed significant drops in air pollution and emissions across large parts of the country.
Now that most of Europe has followed suit, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has also reported significant decreases in air pollutant concentrations, including nitrogen dioxide which has been a particular concern recently and has sparked a war on diesel fuelled vehicles.
Across Italy, one of the first countries in Europe to announce a lockdown, nitrous dioxide levels are on average 20-30% lower than they were a month ago. Similar trends have been seen in other countries, such as Spain, where in Madrid average nitrous dioxide levels fell 56% in just a week.
Although it makes sense that a significant and sudden reduction in transport and industry would result in fewer emissions, the data shows just how much humans are contributing to both dangerous air pollution and airborne emissions, which in turn damage the environment in many ways, as well as impact upon human health.
It is hoped that this strange but essential lockdown period can be something to learn from, especially from an environmental viewpoint. When the lockdown is lifted, there is a danger that humans will simply return to their old ways and emissions will suddenly and significantly rise. However, there is an opportunity to use this period, build upon the positive lessons it can give us, and work out some long-term solutions to air pollution.
EEA Executive Director, Hans Bruyninckx, said "The EEA's data show an accurate picture of the drop in air pollution, especially due to reduced traffic in cities. However, addressing long-term air quality problems requires ambitious policies and forward-looking investments. As such, the current crisis and its multiple impacts on our society work against what we are trying to achieve, which is a just and well-managed transition towards a resilient and sustainable society."
