Even if we have to sacrifice what we enjoy

By Science Columnist Ho-Gwan Ko

There is a saying that "the best way to protect nature is to get as far away from it as possible." This year, we have seen several examples that prove that this is true. As human activity has slowed down due to the pandemic, some regions have witnessed nature healing itself.

In March 2020, Indian media reported that more than 800,000 sea turtles appeared and laid eggs on a beach of eastern India. In the past, it was difficult for sea turtles to come ashore because of tourists' littering. After the beach became off-limits due to COVID-19, more sea turtles showed up than usual. Brazil also reported that rare baby sea turtles hatched on a beach closed due to COVID-19.

The number of sea turtles is steadily decreasing due to environmental pollution and habitat destruction. Trading of sea turtles and their products is prohibited. Against the backdrop, it's definitely good news that hundreds of thousands of them have laid eggs on the beach.

▲ Reducing human activity turned out to be beneficial not only for slowing down climate change but also for preserving nature.

A variety of wild animals have also appeared even in downtown areas while people are staying inside. While human activity is reduced, wildlife activity has increased. The lives of zoo animals have also changed while there are no visitors. In Hong Kong, male and female pandas, who had failed to reproduce for 10 years, finally got pregnant. Although the exact reason is not known, people guessed that having no visitors around them due to COVID-19 made them more relaxed. On the other hand, some animals are suffering from budget cuts of zoos that have lost profits.

Animals aren't the only ones enjoying revived nature. Residents of northern India were able to see the Himalayan peaks for the first time in 30 years. This is because the air has become cleaner as less transportation such as cars and airplanes are being used.

Satellite observations show that when human mobility was restricted in China in February 2020, the concentration of nitrogen dioxide, one of the air pollutants, decreased by 30% compared to the previous year. Air quality has improved not only in China but in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

This also affects global warming because fewer power plants, cars, and airplanes reduce carbon emissions. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), global carbon dioxide emissions in early April 2020 decreased by 17% compared to 2019.

However, it’s too soon to relax. Decreased emissions over the months of this year are not enough to stop climate change, let alone reverse it. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the air observed in Hawaii in May 2020 was higher than 2019 and even recorded the highest level. Although human activity declined due to COVID-19, the concentration of carbon dioxide still increased. It might have slowed down the increase a little bit, but it couldn't stop it at all.

Carbon dioxide emissions must be cut in half to stop the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air from increasing. This is because half of the man-made carbon dioxide is absorbed by natural ecosystems. Considering the amount reduced by an emergency like the pandemic, we need to try so much harder to halve the emissions. Although COVID-19 is not over yet, lockdown has already been loosened, and air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions are returning to their previous levels.

We have learned from this experience that we have to sacrifice a lot to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions and stop climate change. It may only be possible if we give up almost everything we have enjoyed so far.
Addressing climate change is not an option. It’s the only way for us to survive. Even if it means giving up comfort and convenience, we must reduce carbon dioxide emissions and actively remove accumulated carbon dioxide so as to prevent global disasters. It's something we can all do together.