COVID-19 pandemic brings drop in greenhouse gas and air pollution

By Chris Jones/The Oshawa Express

As COVID-19 has shut down most of the world, the environment has seen some positive changes.

Pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have fallen across the world as people remain at home while social distancing. The air in China and India, two nations infamous for their air pollution, is becoming clearer.

According to Durham Region’s Manager of Sustainability Ian McVey, satellite imagery shows the air above the Greater Toronto Area is clearing as well.

But the question remains, will this last?

McVey is hopeful, but in the end he expects greenhouse gas emissions to return to normal, just as they did after the 2009 recession.

“The lockdowns, more people staying at home and a decline in road traffic has translated into a decline in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,” he explains.

He notes satellite imagery has shown a decline in air pollution over the east GTA in particular, and that will translate into better air quality.

This will be particularly beneficial for people with asthma, and other breathing difficulties.

While he didn’t have the exact data in regards to greenhouse emissions in Durham, he estimates there’s a five to 10 per cent decline in greenhouse gas emissions per day compared to where they were last year.

“That’s a pretty significant decline – the biggest decline that we’ve really likely ever seen,” he says.

For McVey, his concern is the sustainability of the decline in pollution.

“Once the economy gets opened up, it’s likely that those emissions are going to go back up again,” he says.

To maintain these positive steps, McVey explains the region and its partners are developing and launching a residential energy retrofit program.

“We were focused on that before this hit, but I think it’s got even more relevance now,” he says.

The residential energy retrofit program would provide homeowners with incentives to do energy renovations on their home, he explains. The renovations could include projects like an electric vehicle charging station, updated windows and more.

McVey believes after the pandemic has come to an end there will be a recessionary period. But, even with less disposable income, he believes people will want to spend money on their homes.

“I think people are going to want to spend money on things that increase the value of their home, that increase the comfort of their home where they would be spending more time than they used to,” he says.

McVey also believes people will be looking to reduce long-term costs, and will be investing in measures to improve their comfort and reduce costs.

He notes the region is taking other measures, such as Durham Region Transit moving the fleet to electric vehicles, and will continue to promote electric vehicles in general.