2020 was a complex year, from which we continue to suffer the social and economic struggles and the constant menace of the SARS-CoV2 virus. There’s no doubt that we faced an unprecedented pandemic in our modern age. We recall, for example, that a hundred years ago humanity witnessed the Spanish flu, which affected more than 40 million people, and it was considered the most devastating pandemic in history.
A century later, the virus that causes COVID-19 set an alarm in China, being the country that registered the first infections. Meanwhile, the rest of the world observed how the virus spread and gain ground; then, in just a few months, governments promoted and applied restrictive mobility measures, inside and outside their borders.
With these decisions, automobiles stopped circulating on roads and cities, while planes were stuck at the airports. In fact, the International Energy Agency (EIA) estimated that in 2020 the world used 6 percent less energy, which reduced carbon dioxide emissions; this meant that all of India’s energy demand was no longer used.
In social media, images circulated in social networks in which the water of the seas looked more crystalline, while the animals walked through the cities without people around them. In addition, as the months went by and with the gradual reopening of cities, some governments began to take more environmentally friendly measures, for example, in Paris 650 km of bicycle lanes started to be prepared and a plan was announced in Milan to reduce the use of cars and prioritize the use of bicycles.
But are we really taking actions to take care of the environment and face the consequences of climate change? Some would say that the pandemic exacerbated plastic pollution; the World Bank has warned about the relaxation of measures to discourage the use of plastic, as well as those related to the circular economy.
And the fact is that the use of masks, gloves, face shields and other protective items – which are undoubtedly essential in the management of this health crisis – have exponentially increased plastic waste. Studies showed that global sales of disposable masks could have reached about $166 billion dollars in 2020, a 200-fold increase compared to 2019 when 800 million were sold.
In this context, the United Nations considers that if adequate measures for recycling are not taken, more than 70 per cent of plastics will end up in oceans. Also, 2020 was one of the three warmest years on record. Therefore, the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres has indicated that “this is a crucial year for the future of humanity since we are at a breaking point.”
Undoubtedly, the pandemic has brought changes in habits and public policies around the world; but the fight for climate change is still a pending issue. In this regard, the International Monetary Fund points out that this pandemic presents us with opportunities to put the economy on a greener path by promoting investment in ecological and resilient products.
Let’s stay tuned for the upcoming climate conference to take place in November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland, where world leaders will discuss the future of the commitments made in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
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