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Plummeting air pollution and CO2 emissions during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lesson learned and future equity concerns of post-COVID recovery
  • Juan Jose Alava,
  • Gerald G Singh
Juan Jose Alava
University of British Columbia

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Gerald G Singh
Department of Geography, Memorial University of Newfoundland
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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and quarantines have led to significant industrial slowdowns among the world's major emitters of air pollutants, with resulting decreases to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are major concerns that these decreases in atmospheric pollution can be hampered as economies are reactivated. Historically, countries have weakened environmental legislations following economic slowdown to encourage renewed economic growth. Such a policy response now will likely have disproportionate impacts on global indigenous people and marginalized groups within countries, who have already faced disproportionate impacts from COVID-19. Bold government decisions can restart economies while pre-empting future inequities and committing to environmental protection.