During the Coronavirus pandemic, lots of news has been spreading about clear water and free animals, alluding to a better environment. This seems to many like a ray of hope coming out of this strange and scary time. However, these few temporary benefits to the environment are not the full truth of how COVID-19 is impacting the environment. Many humans are staying in their homes during the Coronavirus Pandemic, decreasing air pollution, which is helping the environment temporarily. Animals also have more space, yet they are truly not benefitting and these changes are not long-term or sustainable. During this crisis, less government resources are being allocated to protecting wildlife, leading to higher levels of poaching of wild animals, such as the jaguars and pumas in Colombia. Additionally, there is a great extent of illegal fishing and deforestation due to the lack of surveillance. Countries that rely on tourism are losing revenue, decreasing their budgets to protect wildlife. Currently, the protection of human lives seems to be a more urgent issue than protecting animals and nature. But to conserve Earth’s health, world leaders need to focus on initiatives to protect wildlife and advance on the path toward sustainable energy. Other than for the purpose of protecting animals, the opportunity must be seized to stop effects of climate change before they become irreversible. Many scientists are worried about COVID-19 returning with a second wave. If climate change is not slowed, it could increase the magnitude of this wave. This is because air pollution increases the spread and symptoms of respiratory illnesses. Protecting the environment will lead to more protection of human lives. It’s important to understand the full picture of how the COVID-19 disease is impacting the environment and what can be done about it. Citizens must help the slowing of climate change, as well as the slowing of the Coronavirus, by contacting their local representatives. America needs permanent reforms in working conditions, sick-leave, green energy, public health, and pollution. References:
Lambertini, Marco. "The Coronavirus Is Not Good for Nature." Aljazeera, 14 May 2020, www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/coronavirus-good-nature- 200508120555480.html. Accessed 10 June 2020. Ranniger, Gwen. "Coronavirus, the Environment, and You." Environmental Health News, 15 May 2020, www.ehn.org/coronavirus-climate-change-environmental- 2645973386.html. Accessed 10 June 2020.
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Haydn Wolfers
Class of 2021 |