outbreak of covid-19, its effects and environmental … · 2020. 9. 9. · ii. urbanization and the...

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e-ISSN: 2582-5208 International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science Volume:02/Issue:09/September-2020 Impact Factor- 5.354 www.irjmets.com www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science [256] OUTBREAK OF COVID-19, ITS EFFECTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: A REVIEW Awuchi, Chibueze Gospel *1 , Asoegwu, Chisom Rachael *2 , Ogbuji, Okechukwu Elvis *3 , Udube, Vivian Chinyere *4 , Ezuru, Ikenna Stanley *5 , Awuchi, Chinaza Godwill *6 , Peters, Goodness Chioma *7 , Ukpe, Aniefiok Emem *8 *1,2,3,4,5 Department of Environmental Management, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. *6 Department of Physical Sciences, Kampala International University, Kampala, Uganda. *7 Department of Forestry, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria. *8 Ecosphere Consulting, Abuja, Nigeria. ABSTRACT Pandemics such as COVID-19 are known to be a universal epidemic of contagious diseases which is capable of increasing morbidity and death over a wide geographic region. There are indications that various environmental factors such as urbanization, temperature, climate change and potentially unsafe relationship between human beings and wildlife may result to the outbreak and spread of pandemic events such as COVID-19; which may in turn influence the environment. The relationship between COVID- 19 effects and environmental sustainability is a complex relationship, considering that the pandemic has both influenced the physical systems of the environment positively and negatively, but the question is how sustainable are these influences. Emerging reports from China shows that the decline in air pollution witnessed during the lockdown is gradually ending as the government relaxes the lockdown order. Also, waste recycling as one of the most essential aspects of environmental sustainability has reduced in some countries such as the USA and Italy since the COVID-19 lockdown for the fear of the virus spreading through recycling centers. Therefore, the issue of how sustainable the impact of the pandemic is remains unrequited presently, as more discoveries, advances and considerations continues to emerge from the post COVID-19 pandemic effects, putting into consideration the core issues that required attention in the phase of COVID-19 outbreak, which are classified as Short-term, Medium-term, and Long-term. Keywords: Environment, COVID-19, Pandemic, Zoonosis, Emission and Sustainability. I. INTRODUCTION Pandemics are global outbreaks of contagious diseases which are capable of increasing morbidity and death over an extensive geographic area and may create a significant unbalance in the economy, environment, socialization and policy making (Mahdav et al., 2017). A variety of environmental factors can influence the outbreak and spread of pandemic events which may in turn have a feedback on the environment (Sorin et al., 2020). A typical example is the zoonotic infectious disease discovered in Wuhan, a subprovincial city in Hubei, China in 2019, which was caused by a new class of SARS-CoV-2, and was codenamed COVID-19 (short for Coronavirus Disease 2019), then declared a pandemic between February and March 2020 by the “World Health Organization (WHO)”. A report from WHO (2020) shows that as at 2020/08/24, 02:22pm CEST, there are approximately a cumulative of 23,311,719 confirmed cases including 806,410 deaths globally with Europe and America as the worst hit. According to Ellen (2020), COVID-19 has shown that people, communities and our planet are inextricably connected – risks to the health and well-being of one, impact the health and well-being of all. As the virus emerges, and continues to spread, there were unconfirmed reports which linked the rate of transmission of the virus to environmental factors such as temperature range and humidity according to regions. However, while some studies stated that domestic weather conditions of lesser temperature, mild diurnal temperature range and low humidity maybe favorable to the transmission of the virus (Liu et al., 2020), other studies claimed that there is no proof that warmer weather can determine the decline of the case counts of the COVID-19 pandemic (Zhu and Xie, 2020). As at date, the COVID-19 Pandemic remains a

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Page 1: OUTBREAK OF COVID-19, ITS EFFECTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL … · 2020. 9. 9. · II. URBANIZATION AND THE WIDESPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES As humans continue to spread across the world,

e-ISSN: 2582-5208 International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science Volume:02/Issue:09/September-2020 Impact Factor- 5.354 www.irjmets.com

www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science

[256]

OUTBREAK OF COVID-19, ITS EFFECTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL

SUSTAINABILITY: A REVIEW

Awuchi, Chibueze Gospel*1, Asoegwu, Chisom Rachael*2, Ogbuji, Okechukwu

Elvis*3, Udube, Vivian Chinyere*4, Ezuru, Ikenna Stanley*5, Awuchi, Chinaza

Godwill*6, Peters, Goodness Chioma*7, Ukpe, Aniefiok Emem*8

*1,2,3,4,5Department of Environmental Management, Federal University of Technology Owerri,

Imo State, Nigeria.

*6Department of Physical Sciences, Kampala International University, Kampala, Uganda.

*7Department of Forestry, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria.

*8Ecosphere Consulting, Abuja, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Pandemics such as COVID-19 are known to be a universal epidemic of contagious diseases which is

capable of increasing morbidity and death over a wide geographic region. There are indications that

various environmental factors such as urbanization, temperature, climate change and potentially unsafe

relationship between human beings and wildlife may result to the outbreak and spread of pandemic

events such as COVID-19; which may in turn influence the environment. The relationship between COVID-

19 effects and environmental sustainability is a complex relationship, considering that the pandemic has

both influenced the physical systems of the environment positively and negatively, but the question is

how sustainable are these influences. Emerging reports from China shows that the decline in air pollution

witnessed during the lockdown is gradually ending as the government relaxes the lockdown order. Also,

waste recycling as one of the most essential aspects of environmental sustainability has reduced in some

countries such as the USA and Italy since the COVID-19 lockdown for the fear of the virus spreading

through recycling centers. Therefore, the issue of how sustainable the impact of the pandemic is remains

unrequited presently, as more discoveries, advances and considerations continues to emerge from the

post COVID-19 pandemic effects, putting into consideration the core issues that required attention in the

phase of COVID-19 outbreak, which are classified as Short-term, Medium-term, and Long-term.

Keywords: Environment, COVID-19, Pandemic, Zoonosis, Emission and Sustainability.

I. INTRODUCTION

Pandemics are global outbreaks of contagious diseases which are capable of increasing morbidity and

death over an extensive geographic area and may create a significant unbalance in the economy,

environment, socialization and policy making (Mahdav et al., 2017). A variety of environmental factors

can influence the outbreak and spread of pandemic events which may in turn have a feedback on the

environment (Sorin et al., 2020). A typical example is the zoonotic infectious disease discovered in

Wuhan, a subprovincial city in Hubei, China in 2019, which was caused by a new class of SARS-CoV-2, and

was codenamed COVID-19 (short for Coronavirus Disease 2019), then declared a pandemic between

February and March 2020 by the “World Health Organization (WHO)”. A report from WHO (2020) shows

that as at 2020/08/24, 02:22pm CEST, there are approximately a cumulative of 23,311,719 confirmed

cases including 806,410 deaths globally with Europe and America as the worst hit.

According to Ellen (2020), COVID-19 has shown that people, communities and our planet are inextricably

connected – risks to the health and well-being of one, impact the health and well-being of all. As the virus

emerges, and continues to spread, there were unconfirmed reports which linked the rate of transmission

of the virus to environmental factors such as temperature range and humidity according to regions.

However, while some studies stated that domestic weather conditions of lesser temperature, mild diurnal

temperature range and low humidity maybe favorable to the transmission of the virus (Liu et al., 2020),

other studies claimed that there is no proof that warmer weather can determine the decline of the case

counts of the COVID-19 pandemic (Zhu and Xie, 2020). As at date, the COVID-19 Pandemic remains a

Page 2: OUTBREAK OF COVID-19, ITS EFFECTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL … · 2020. 9. 9. · II. URBANIZATION AND THE WIDESPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES As humans continue to spread across the world,

e-ISSN: 2582-5208 International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science Volume:02/Issue:09/September-2020 Impact Factor- 5.354 www.irjmets.com

www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science

[257]

major threat to human existence as there are no vaccines or treatments confirmed by the UN’s specialized

agency responsible for international public health, WHO for COVID-19. Although, recent reports emerging

from Russia and China claims that the two countries have made a breakthrough in the development of a

vaccine for the COVID-19 infectious disease (CNN, 2020; CGTN 2020). However, there are so many

ongoing clinical trials to evaluate potential treatments and prevention of the virus.

As the pandemic continues to spread, governments all over the world are seeking and adjusting their

economic policies for the aftermath of the lockdown associated with the pandemic, which has put a halt to

most economic activities including businesses, industrial activities and transport networks as the mostly

affected; as road and air transport came to a halt as people were ordered to stay indoors to encourage

social distancing which was one of the measures adopted to reduce the rapid spread of the pandemic. As

the lockdown continues globally, there were speculations that the earth is gradually recovering air

pollution. These speculations were later confirmed to be accurate according to reports by some space

agencies such as “National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)” and “European Space Agency

(ESA, 2020)” which shows a significant improvement in air quality across Europe (ESA, 2020; Martha,

2020 as reported by BBC News), Asia and the USA (NASA, 2020), credited to a decline in nitrous oxide

emission resulting from the COVID-19 lockdown. A report from United Nations Conference on Trade and

Development (UNCTAD) shows that not all the environmental consequences of the lockdown have been

positive, as volumes of non-recyclable waste increased due to severe cuts in agricultural products export

levels (Robert Hamwey, 2020, an Economic Affairs Officer of UNCTAD).

II. URBANIZATION AND THE WIDESPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

As humans continue to spread across the world, so have infectious diseases. Undoubtedly, even in this

present age, outbreaks are almost constant, though not every outbreak reaches pandemic level like the

COVID-19. According to Nicolas (2020), the increase in global connections and relationships is a driving

force behind pandemics. From few hunting and assembly of tribes to the metropolitan area, humanity’s

dependence on each other has also created chances for the spread of diseases. Urbanization is bringing

more people to rural areas, and thereby turning it into denser neighborhoods, while increase in

population is putting greater pressure on the environment. At the same time, passenger air traffic nearly

doubled in the past decade. These macro trends are having a profound impact on the spread of infectious

disease. Nicolas (2020) opined that “Urbanization in the developing world is bringing more and more

rural residents into denser neighborhoods, while population increases are putting greater pressure on

the environment.” The visualization below shows how many vulnerable persons, on the average, a sick

person can infect.

Source: Visual History of Pandemics by Nicolas (2020)

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[258]

III. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental sustainability is a responsible relationship with the environment to avoid destruction or

degradation of the natural resources, which allows a long-term environmental quality. Environmental

sustainability is one of the three pillars of sustainability, and also the most important of all. This is

because the other two (Social and Economic) are reliant on the superior system they live within, which is

the environment. The “principle of the three pillars of sustainability” says that to solve the problems of

sustainability, the three pillars of sustainability must be sustainable. The application of environmental

sustainability helps to guarantee that the desires of today's populace are fulfilled without putting into

danger the ability of coming generations to meet their own needs. Environmental sustainability covers a

variety of issues, starting from a precise location to universal. Universal issues comprise concerns about

GHG mitigation, climate change, and renewable energy, while the location specific challenges are soil

erosion, water management, soil quality, and air and water pollution (Parijat et al., 2019).

Fig.-3.1: The 3 Pillars of Sustainability

The goals of Environmental Sustainability can be summarized based on Daly (1990) sustainable theory,

which has been accepted widely as:

For Renewable Resources: the rate of harvest should not exceed the rate of regeneration

(sustainable yield);

For Pollution: The rates of waste generation from projects should not exceed the assimilative

capacity of the environment (sustainable waste disposal); and

For Nonrenewable Resources: the destruction of the non-renewable resources should involve

equivalent advancement of renewable replacement for that resource.

IV. PANDEMIC'S EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

COVID-19, Ebola, influenza, SARS, and MERS as “emerging infectious diseases (EIDs)”, most recently,

cause large scale death and morbidity, disturb trade and travels, and incite civil disturbances (Pike et al.,

2014). There is a rising policy interest in the connections between universal environmental change and

human health, such as non–communicable disease effects of climate change, death and morbidity from

harsh weather events, pollution related asthma, and spread of vector borne diseases (Watts et al., 2018).

According to Morse et al. (2012), approximately, about 70% of “emerging infectious diseases” and almost

all recent pandemics, originate from human interactions with animals (mainly wildlife), and their

emergence shoots from combined contacts among wild and domestic animals and humans. The

emergence of diseases show a relationship between human population concentration and wildlife variety,

and is motivated by changes associated with human activities such as deforestation and expansion of

agricultural land (i.e. land use change), increase of livestock production, and intensified hunting and

trading of wildlife (Allen et al., 2017; Jones et al., 2008).

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[259]

V. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COVID-19 AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The COVID-19 outbreak was caused by a combination of two related trend. The first is the increasingly

intricate and possibly harmful relationship between humans and wildlife. The harvesting and selling of

wild animals as meats and plants is an unvarying risk to the continued existence of many species, as well

as intermittently posing a hazard to human society through the emergence and spread of viruses, as in the

current case of the COVID-19 pandemic. A research by Johnson et al. (2020) suggests that a rise in human

utilization of wildlife may lead to more possibility of zoonosis.

The second trend is “Urbanization”, which is the widespread and accelerated movement of people and

goods across borders, which is a feature of modern globalization as mentioned in previous section of this

article. While harmful relationship between humans and wildlife allowed the transmission of the COVID-

19 virus from animals to humans, urbanization enabled its succeeding spread to a pandemic level. Both

the range of the market for wildlife species, the quantity and speediness of human movement globally,

give importance to the enormous impact of human activity on nature and probably vice versa.

VI. THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON THE PRESENT ENVIRONMENT

According to Sorin et al. (2020), the impact of COVID-19 on the environment raised attention from the

very beginning of the crisis, consisting of:

(a) Observations and analysis of the immediate effects and

(b) Estimations related to long-term changes.

Qualitative assumptions prevail, while consistent quantitative research must wait for relevant data sets

and additional knowledge. Most aspects of the environmental impact of COVID-19 have not directly

resulted from the virus itself. Instead the consequence of the mitigation measures adopted to checkmate

the spread of the virus or closing of the economic sectors through the lockdown (stay at home, stay safe)

order has affected the environment directly. Moreover, the impact of COVID-19 on socio-ecological

systems may be highly variable, from radical changes in individual lifestyle, society and international

affairs (United Nation (UN), 2020), to simply facilitating a faster change than would normally have

emerged (Haass, 2020). A study by Awuchi et al. (2020), which is in confirmation with NASA (2020)

report shows that the lockdown order implemented by the government of many countries impacted the

environment positively by improving air quality across Europe, Asia, India and the USA. Figure 5.1 below

shows airborne particle levels in Northern India in 2016 to the first quarter of 2020 amidst the COVID-19

lockdown as reported by NASA (2020). The satellite image shows that after a week of the lockdown,

aerosol levels in Northern India has fallen at a 20years low for this time of the year.

Awuchi et al. (2020) further highlighted that although the lockdown impacted the environment positively,

but not all the environmental consequences of the lockdown that accompanied the emergence of COVID-

19 have been positive, as it was confirmed by the “United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

(UNCTAD)” that the volumes of non-recyclable waste have gone up; harsh cuts in agricultural and fishery

export levels have led to the production of large amount of organic waste and maintenance, and even the

supervision of usual ecosystems have been momentarily suspended as an outcome of the COVID-19

lockdown. Also, a similar report from Reuters (2020) shows that as an outcome of the extraordinary use

of disposable facemasks, a large number of masks were discarded in the environment, thereby adding to

the global burden of medical plastic waste. Also, the immediate impact of the pandemic on the soil

environment through the inadequate disposal of the medical waste can be associated with the rising risks

of food insecurity and interruption of the food supply chain following reports that the virus can remain

viable on surfaces for several days (Van et al., 2020).

Page 5: OUTBREAK OF COVID-19, ITS EFFECTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL … · 2020. 9. 9. · II. URBANIZATION AND THE WIDESPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES As humans continue to spread across the world,

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Fig. 6.1: Airborne particle levels as it plummets in Northern India.

Source: (NASA, 2020)

Fig. 6.2: Pictures showing deserted roads across the world during the COVID-19 lockdown.

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[261]

VII. COVID-19 PANDEMIC EFFECTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

The immediate outcome of COVID-19 on the environment can be noticed mostly in the quality of air and

change in climate, Aquatic systems and water resources, and the soil and land environment; all these

classified together as the physical systems of the environment.

The relationship between COVID-19, its effects and environmental sustainability is unquestionably a very

complex connection. Although COVID-19 has certainly created both some positives and negatives for the

environment as highlighted in the previous sections of this work, but the question is how long these will

last.

7.1. In Air Quality and Climate Change:

There are indications and also confirmed reports that improvement in air quality resulting from the drop

in emissions due to the COVID-19 is in fact only a short-term impact; and that when the lockdown is

relaxed and industrial and transportation activities restarts, it may actually lead to a higher level of

carbon emissions. According to a report from NASA (2020) which shows the levels of NO2 in Central and

Eastern China from February 10–25 (i.e. during the quarantine) and April 20 to May 12 (i.e. after

restrictions were lifted), it was observed that during the lockdown, there was a noticeable reduction in a

key air pollutant in China after the country shut down transportation and much of its economy. But in

three months later, with most COVID-19 lockdowns ending in the country and economic activities

resuming, the levels of NO2 have returned to near normal for this time of year. Although, scientists

expected this spring back in air pollution in the country. Figure 6.1 below shows satellite images captured

by NASA during and after lockdown in China.

Fig. 7.1: Nitrogen Dioxide Levels in China during and after the lockdown. Source: (NASA, 2020)

7. 2. Reduction in Waste Recycling and Management

A report from UNCTAD (2020) shows that since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the lockdown that

accompanies it, the quantities of non-recyclable waste have increased globally. Recycling is one of the

most common and useful way to prevent environmental pollution, conserve energy and natural resources

(Varotto and Spagnolli, 2017; Ma et al., 2019). Recycling as one of the most imperative phases of

environmental sustainability, averting pollution and reusing natural resources has reduced since the

COVID-19 lockdown. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic countries such as the USA and Italy have stopped or

Page 7: OUTBREAK OF COVID-19, ITS EFFECTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL … · 2020. 9. 9. · II. URBANIZATION AND THE WIDESPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES As humans continue to spread across the world,

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[262]

reduced their recycling activities in some of their cities, as there were concerns about the risk of the

pandemic spreading in recycling centers (Manuel et al., 2020). In Italy, infected individuals have been

stopped from sorting their waste and this has made the task of recycling almost impossible.

7. 3. In Aquatic Systems and Water Resources

Although there is no confirmation on the survival of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in drinking water or

wastewater (WHO, 2020b), but countries like China have strengthen the disinfecting regimes in their

water treatment plants mainly through increased use of chlorine. This is targeted at minimizing the risk

of COVID-19 being spread through the water supply. But on the contrary, excessive presence of chlorine

in domestic water could generate harmful effects on people's health as recorded by Koivusalo and

Vartiainen, (1997).

VIII. IMPLICATIONS OF COVID-19 ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

According to preliminary analysis conducted by the “Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES,

2020)”, which was aimed at understanding the environmental and sustainability challenges associated

with the crisis, and their potential solutions, IGES categorized core issues requiring attention in the phase

of COVID-19 outbreak in the “Short-term”, “Medium-term”, and “Long-term”.

Fig. 8. 1. Core issues requiring attention in the phase of COVID-19 outbreak and the post-pandemic

recovery.

Short term Measures: Needs to Address Urgent Concerns

Management of Medical Waste:

Since the inception of COVID-19 pandemic, medical facilities have witnessed a flare-up in the use of some

kinds of medical equipments, such disposable-facemasks and medical handgloves, which have caused a

fast increase in medical - waste. In partnership with relevant United Nations and other organizations,

IGES will begin evaluating the management of medical - waste in some selected developing countries

mainly in the Asian region, to identify constraints and possible solutions.

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[263]

Management of the Adverse Impacts of Air Pollution

In areas with increased levels of air pollution, the number of people suffering from respiratory diseases is

on the rise. Infected persons are mostly likely to be at a greater risk for severe illness and early death. It is

evident that the emergency lockdowns and stay-at-home orders that accompanied COVID-19 have

improved the air quality in many countries across the world (Awuchi et al., 2020), but the challenge is

sustaining this improvement. Therefore, it is imperative to spot solutions that are sustainable to prevent

pollution levels from returning or even reaching even higher levels than it was before the lockdown.

Understanding the Sustainability Work-styles and Life-styles:

Secluded works are being introduced speedily globally. It is suggested that social activities occur by the

same approach, which will lead to considerable changes in lifestyles as well as work - styles. Practices like

that may help to improve the environment and work-life balance, and also should be maintained to any

possible level, even after the end of the emergency period.

8. 2. Medium term Approaches: Creating the Pathway for Post Crisis Green Recovery

Endorsement of Green Recovery:

It is vital to take - up procedures that can build a world that is more skilled at running similar disasters

for future purposes, after the crisis. Considering this, it is advised that every country while building

measures for a large scale economy, should also consider building a society that will be more sustainable,

flexible and inclusive in the future.

8. 3. Long Term Measures: To Create a Flexible and Society that is Sustainable.

Sustainable and Combined Measures:

The endorsement of a “Regional Circulating and Ecological Spheres (Regional CES)”, which aims for a

sustainable growth at the regional level through combined efforts towards attaining varied, societal,

economic and environmental objectives, is also considered as a logical approach in the long-term.

Considering this, IGES planned to establish a research on how to apply the “Regional CES” conception in

two areas in the Asian continent, in partnership with some institutes.

Reliable Urban Environmental Approaches in Developing Countries:

The original sources of pandemics in urban settlements are numerous, considering the fact that necessary

daily activities, such as transportation and shopping are done in comparatively crowded confinements.

Therefore, cities are encouraged to tackle all types of environmental issues associated with non -

sustainable manufacturing and utilization guide, noting that cities are the basic foundation of polluting

their environment, which makes the preexisting health situations of their residents worse.

Approaches for Climatic Acclimatization Scheming:

The ecosystem is changing drastically as a result of climatic change. These changes increases shift in

zones where species from diverse environment interact, hence raises the risk of pathogen overflow. That

is to say that it is entirely possible that change in the climate can become an indirect issue which

contributes to the rise in frequency of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Therefore, as witnessed in

this present pandemic, it is essential to consider the risks associated with the outbreak of infectious

diseases as an important effect of climate change.

Approaches for Controlling Global Risks:

It is now very evident that risks associated with global outbreak of infectious diseases such as COVID-19

pandemic can result in an enormous social and economic impact, i.e. disturbance of universal supply-

chains and the crumbling of universal tourism activities. Therefore, measures and policies to make

supply-chains sustainable and pliant should be considered an obligation for both international and

domestic. In addition, guidelines to encourage progressive tourism activities globally should be largely

strengthened.

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[264]

IX. CONCLUSION

The emergence of the pandemic COVID-19 maybe perceived as both a disaster and a relief to the

environment, considering its negative and positive influences on the environment. Environmental factors

such as urbanization which involves widespread movement of people, goods and services across the

borders, then, temperature, climate change and unsafe relationship between human beings and wildlife;

all these combined influences the transmission of the zoonosis to humans, which also has influence on the

environment.

COVID-19, its effects and environmental sustainability has an intricate affiliation, considering that the

pandemic has both influenced the physical environment positively and negatively, but the challenge

remains how sustainable these influences are. Emerging report from countries such as China has shown

that the positive effects in air pollution recorded during the lockdown is gradually ending and may likely

become worst in the coming months. Also there are growing concerns in some countries across Europe

and America due to the suspension and reduction of waste recycling activities for the fear of the virus

spreading through waste recycling centers. Considering these challenges the question of how sustainable

the impact of the pandemic is remains unanswered at the moment, as more developments and

considerations continues to emerge from both its positive and adverse effects.

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