We are right in the middle of a global pandemic. The latest data shows that there are 19M confirmed cases, 11.5 M recoveries, and 712 K fatalities ( 2020, August 7). With several industries closing down, and many flights canceled, it was expected that the emission of carbon dioxide gas would drop. However, the recent report from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), shows that the amount of CO2 in the air in May 2020 hit an average of slightly greater than 417 parts per million (ppm). This is the highest monthly average value ever recorded and is up from 414.7 ppm in May of last year.
Why has the earth’s CO2 levels hit a record high, despite Covid-19-related emissions drop?
Though there is a visible effect of COVID-19 on industries, I don't think the number of closed factories are significant to drop CO2 emission. The duration since the pandemic started by itself is not long enough to reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere as CO2 is capable to stay for centuries and every small amount is plus. Recently, most of the industries are restarting to support the countries economy even if COVID-19 is still there. In addition, we must remember that plants/forests/ that suck the high amount of CO2 in the air are disappearing at an alarming rate. The world forest coverage supposed to be 30% is quickly declining.
The rate of increase from last May to this May was slower than it was in the comparable to 2018 to 2019 period, but natural factors such as El Niño events in the tropical Pacific Ocean and changes in terrestrial carbon sinks, such as forests, can have a large influence on this from year to year
Rashid, it just goes to show that natural phenomenon (e.g. level of forest cover, cyclical El Nino dynamics etc.) have a big role in carbon budget and related issues. Although anthropogenic factors play a role, these have to be over a long time scale. For Corvid-19, its not even been a year yet to have realistic signatures in the atmospheric carbon levels.
Agree with John Obiri. We have to wait at least one year to have a solid assesment.
Hubo excesiva emisión de CO2, la pandemia origino la paralizacion de algunas industrias y su reactivacion mantendría en alza la emisión, se necesita tiempo para una evaluacion valida.
Hence from these points, one can understand that there may be a less amount of CO2 addition in the atmosphere during this pandemic. Still, it is an addition to already existing CO2 amount; hence it can not reduce the amount of atmospheric CO2. Even if the addition and removal of atmospheric CO2 are balanced, we will need at least a decade to witness a decline in atmospheric CO2. The only way to observe an instant decrease in atmospheric CO2 is by becoming negative CO2 emission world (e.g. Bhutan).
I have written on this topic for those who are interested:
Article Info from the global world-- The source of waste and the end...
Spoiler alert, individual action adds up to very little, without radical and widespread socio-economic change.
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