Covid-19 and CO2 emissions

If you look at what’s going on in your streets or on the highway, you might intuitively think that coronavirus might lower global greenhouse gas emissions, but experts seem to think otherwise.

This seem difficult to accept, with all the canceled flights, closed businesses and escalating economic slowdown that can bring hardship to millions, and should somehow curtail greenhouse gas emissions, at least for this year.

But will that be enough to make cutting planet-warming pollution a permanent fixture in society? If we look back in time, experts say, this might no be the case.

The reduction in emission will be short-lived and what’s worst, is that just like after the 2008 financial crisis and the oil shocks of the 1970s, pollution will return with a vengeance as the economy improves again.

I would hope instead, that the slide in emissions isn’t just temporary and that government and industry still continue working at cutting emissions in the long term. If we missed that opportunity, we’re cooked (pardon the pun!)