PHOENIX —
Half a century ago, a modern environmental movement was born: Earth Day.
The day is usually commemorated with community events and rallies to raise awareness about issues facing the planet.
But this year, the April 22 celebrations look a lot different as people continue to practice social distancing and abide by stay-at-home orders amid the coronavirus pandemic.
With fewer cars on the road, fewer planes in the air, and many factories closed, reports show a decline in air pollution across the globe.
Arizona has experienced a slight boost in air quality. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials reported a 37% decrease in nitrogen oxides between March 16 and March 22 compared to last year.
Dave White, ASU’s School of Sustainability deputy director, said stay-at-home orders have resulted in less air pollution and slightly cleaner water. However, a devastating health crisis that is crippling health care systems and economies is not what is needed to save the planet.
“This is not how we want to have a healthy environment and it is not a sustainable way to do improvements in the environment,” White said.
White explained the pandemic could in fact have negative effects on the environment. For example, he pointed out the Trump administration’s rollback on environmental protections.
In late March, the Environmental Protection Agency relaxed public health and environmental regulations for companies that might have a difficult time complying during the pandemic. These include companies in the oil and gas industries.
“Unless we address the underlying issues, we are likely to see a continuation in the negative trends,” White said.
And some scientists have found a connection between saving the planet and staving off another global pandemic.
ASU professor Leah Gerber wrote in an article for Issues in Science and Technology that habitat destruction and international wildlife trade increase the likelihood of another pandemic due to more interactions with people and animals.
“Environmental degradation, and especially habitat destruction, is the underlying problem that creates conditions favorable to zoonotic jumping. Wildlife trade is one symptom of this environmental degradation," Gerber wrote.
The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day is like no other as the world continues to fight the coronavirus. Future Earth Days may also look a lot different.
“People are going to be rethinking how they live their lives and as we emerge from this crisis there is an opportunity to reconsider some of our individual behaviors,” White said.
Telecommuting a few times a week or driving less may be practices people continue to do even after stay-at-orders are lifted, White explained.
“People have adapted out of necessity and they may be able to maintain some of those adaptations into the future,” White said.
Tips for living sustainably:
• Turn off lights when you leave a room
• Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth, lathering your hands, or shaving
• Take shorter showers
• Sort your trash and recycle
• Eat less meat and dairy
• Buy local
• Shop second-hand stores
• Donate clothes, furniture, books etc.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
