After the catastrophic events led by COVID-19, the world had completely shut down. No one could see past the destruction this pandemic had brought upon us, but there is so much good that has come from it that people did not see straight away. Our world is flourishing, and that, somewhat surprisingly, is a result of COVID-19.

China, alongside most parts of the world struggling with environmental contaminants, has experienced an astonishing decrease in air pollution.

According to Kai Chen, assistant professor at the Yale School of Public Health, “the decrease in emissions that accompanied [the pandemic] has actually conferred some positive health results” ( ). Other Asian and European countries, while maybe not on the same level of severity, have also experienced fewer pollution-related deaths during this time.

Positive factors that have resulted from the occurrence of COVID-19:

  • An incredible decrease in pollution across the world
  • Fall in pollution-related deaths (roughly 5,000 more than COVID-19-related as of May 4)
  • Cleaner water across the world (see paragraph below)
  • Knowledge in preparation of decreasing risks of climate change (see paragraph below)
Canals in Venice, Italy before and during the pandemic.

Not only has air pollution significantly subsided, but water pollution and the release of greenhouse gases have also decreased as well. The image above shows Venice, Italy about a year apart. The first pictures dozens of boats floating through the murky waters of the canal, the second picturing an empty waterway that is substantially cleaner. Without emissions from boat traffic, the Venice Canals have cleared to their original pristine blue. With the reduction of pollutants in our environment, a clear picture should be painted for people to realize what this means for climate change. We all know now what could be possible if these environmental conditions were to remain intact. The risk of climate-related issues destroying the planet any further would decline. The results of COVID-19 have given us the knowledge to understand and conduct the means necessary to keep our environment as it is now, healthy and thriving.