Impact of COVID-19 on Environmental Issues- First Impressions

Abstract

COVID-19 has generated an unprecedented impact in almost all countries of the world. As on 20 July 2020, there have been 14,043,176 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 597,583 deaths, reported to WHO. Most countries have tried to fight the spread of the virus with lockdown and policies of social distancing along with COVID-19 screening tests and isolating the affected by institutional or home quarantine for protecting people's health.Satellite images confirm dramatic improvements in every country affected by the pandemic in air quality, as industry and transport shut down. Shipping has declined worldwide and reduced impacts on marine systems might be expected. This year will very likely see a global decline in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as large reductions in other drivers of global warming, such as the contrail cirrus from high-flying aircraft. These may be short-term improvements, but they dramatically underline the pervasiveness and severity of anthropogenic impacts worldwide. Protected areas appear to be safe at this point. Biodiversity is benefitting due to reduced human activities.The first studies estimated an increased organic waste from home, Increase in Medical waste and Reduction in waste recycling also. Noise, air, and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the many other adverse human impacts on wild nature will rebound. Society's priorities must be containment of the pandemic and human health. However, we need to have resumption of conservation practice and education. Reduction on funding and other support for conservation are likely, as they will have to compete with a wide range of new priorities for financial resources.This paper uses secondary data sources and observations of researchers.