Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the environment, with changes in human activity leading to temporary changes in air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and water quality. As the pandemic became a global health crisis in early 2020, various national responses including lockdowns and travel restrictions caused substantial disruption to society, travel, energy usage and economic activity, sometimes referred to as the "anthropause". As public health measures were lifted later in the pandemic, its impact has sometimes been discussed in terms of effects on implementing renewable energy transition and climate change mitigation.
The reduction in motor vehicle traffic has led to a drop in air pollution levels. Inset is the empty A1 motorway in Slovenia on 22 March 2020
NOx emission changes in East China
Oregon State University researchers testing wastewater for the virus that causes COVID-19
COVID-19 Mask discarded on street. The years of the pandemic witnessed a significant increase in discarded plastic products (such as masks), as well as other waste products among public waterways and in public areas generally.
A pop-up bicycle lane is a temporary bike lane that is used to test, pilot or trial new infrastructure to improve conditions for people riding bicycles. In the event that it is successful, interventions can be implemented permanently.
A pop up cycle lane installed in Berlin during the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020
COVID-19 pop-up cycle lane in Chichester, England, August 2020
