When considering the long-term effect of COVID-19 on our environment, researchers suggest the possible negative effects it may instead cause. When restrictions associated with COVID-19 are lowered, we may simply revert back to our initial production rates (producing the same amounts of air pollution as we did prior to COVID-19).

In China for example, many factories and companies were pushed to cover up for all the time they'd lost when restrictions were in place. As a result, air pollution levels drastically increased during early May this year. Similar observations can be hypothesized for other countries. Therefore, it is essential that we keep this in mind, acknowledging the possible effect of our actions post-covid on the environment.