The closing of schools, restaurants, and staying at home orders have been in place for a little over a month and the effects of our actions are showing not only in flattening the curve but on the positive changes to the climate and our air quality.
In China and Italy, the air is now clean. Venice’s Grand Canal, normally filled with boat traffic, is running clear. Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta have seen a 60% drop in deadly air pollution during this lockdown period. Even global carbon emissions have fallen. Coronavirus has led to a shutdown of economic activity and a drastic reduction in the use of fossil fuels. Until now, the only notable drop in total worldwide CO2 emissions was during the era of climate awareness in 1995 with the first U.N. Climate Change Conference and a brief moment in 2009 at the start of the Great Recession.
What does this mean when the country starts running normal operations? We are making improvements to protect our health when we return to work but we can also keep making improvements to the planet’s health. By making a small change to your daily routine we can continue to lower the earth’s pollution.
What Can I Do to Help Reduce Air Pollution?
– Walk or ride a bike when possible.
– Take public transportation.
– Organize and condense errands into one trip.
– When driving, accelerate gradually and obey the speed limit.
– Drive less, particularly on days with unhealthful air quality.
– Maintain your vehicle and keep the tires properly inflated
– Limit idling.
– Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
– Replace energy-hungry incandescent lights with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
– Opt for a fan instead of air conditioning.
– Ask your energy supplier for a home audit and inquire about alternative energy solutions like solar or wind, you may also be able to receive money from switching.
– Recycle paper, plastic, metals, and organic materials.
– Use a surge protector for multiple appliances and turn it off when products are not in use.
– Wash laundry in cold water and line dry.
– When ready to replace, look for Energy Star appliances.
– Eat locally, shop at farmer’s markets, and buy organic produce.
– Use durable and sustainable bags and keep them in our car so you’re never caught off guard.
– Limit your use of plastics