Covid-19 Infects the Environment: How Corona Virus is Impacting Nature

So, let’s start from the beginning. The origin of the COVID-19 virus is yet to be fully established, although 60% of all infectious diseases originate from animals [1], and 70% of emerging infectious diseases originate from wildlife [2]. The initial infection of these diseases has commonly been a result of human encroachment into natural ecosystems, as well as changes in human activity. The bushmeat trade and food markets provide good examples of how humans remove the barrier between the animal world and ours. But Covid-19 is here, and there’s no turning the clocks back to prevent the initial infection now. So, as the virus rolls through the forefront of society, lets discuss what’s happening to the environment behind the curtains.

We’ve all seen the media as it discusses the weird and wonderful appearances of wildlife walking uninhabited streets since lockdown began. From fish-eating birds returning to the clear waters of Venice [3], feral mountain goats of Llandudno [4], and of course the wild boar roaming the streets of Bergamo [5]. Perhaps it is possible that these extended ranges increase food availability, or maybe reduce predation causing a short-term increase in survival rates of the species? On the other hand, there could be no direct benefit to the survival of these animals and their new roaming habits, other than it simply provides us satisfaction at the thought that there might be [6].

On a less trivial note, after the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China introduced a ban on all farming and consumption of live wildlife, which is expected to become law this year. Elizabeth Maruma (the acting executive secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity) has also called for countries to move in the prevention of future pandemics by banning ‘wet markets’ that sell live and dead animals for human consumption [7]. In my opinion, a huge step towards the prevention of a Zoonotic outbreak in future years.

In Britain, wildlife seems to be set for a luxurious few months. A reduction in cars on the road results in less road kill, and many owners have succumbed to keeping their cats indoors, resulting in many birds and voles to be spared. Wildflowers also seem to be on the increase as mowing of grass verges and parks become less essential jobs undertaken by local councils [8].

Secondary effects of less road traffic alongside less factory traffic, is the increase in air quality during March and April; a result of the reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and related ozone (O3) formation, and particulate matter (PM) being pumped into the air [9].

Unfortunately, there is a flip side to this very shiny sided coin. While less human activity in some areas has provided beneficial to some wildlife, it has been less than beneficial in other areas. The absence of environmental protection workers at national parks, land and marine conservation zones due to being seconded to stay at home, has left our most vulnerable nature points openly exposed. Poachers are taking advantage of these unprotected zones, and a rise in hunting, deforestation and fishing has been seen [10 & 11]. Job losses in these sectors within less developed countries has had secondary effects, as they turn to exploitation of the environment to make an income [9].

BornFree.org (2020) [12] have made an infographic to simplify some of the effects Corana Virus has had on wildlife, and label pangolins, tigers, bats and the great apes to be some of the most vulnerable to the virus effects, with some being able to contract the virus themselves.

A number of U.K newspapers have produced reports on the effects that Zoo closures may have on their animal inhabitants. As they struggle for funding, the lives of the animals are largely at risk. Luckily, it seems as though the government have announced a ‘Zoo support fund’ to prevent any devastating decisions needing to be made [13].

You may have noticed that rules regarding your recycling have also changed. Many recycling centres have limited the materials you can recycle in prevention of creating an overpopulated and uncontrolled area in which the virus can spread from people visiting. So, unless we want to hold onto your rubbish for the unforeseeable future, most of this waste will be heading to landfill. Many consumers have also increased their takeaway food consumption in the light of pubs and restaurants closing, causing an increase use of single-use materials [9].

So, as we can see Covid-19 is having both positive and negative impacts on the

environment [14]. But I think we can agree that during this time we have all turned to the outdoors for some recluse or therapy. When the shops, the pubs, the restaurants, and the nightclubs are taken away, we turn to what’s left to find enjoyment. The environment we have been discarding and taking advantage of, has now become our solitude, our place to breath, our place to explore and enjoy. I hope that we have learnt the importance of the outdoors, not just for wildlife but for our own wellbeing during this time. So, maybe, just maybe we will start showing it a little more respect as we walk forwards.

Disclaimer –

Research papers discussing such topics are few and far between at this time. Therefore, most sources used in this blog post are from newspaper articles in which have biased tendencies. This is a summary of what I have found, integrated with my personal opinion. This post is to provide an insight into the climate of current matters, but further research may be required in order for you to form your own opinion on this global situation.

Further information available at:

UNCTAD – holding a conference on the 4th July @ 2:00pm.

References

1. Salyer, S.J., Silver, R., Simone, K. and Behravesh, C.B., 2017. Prioritizing zoonoses for global health capacity building—themes from One Health zoonotic disease workshops in 7 countries, 2014–2016. Emerging infectious diseases, 23(Suppl 1), p.S55.

2. Machalaba, C., Daszak, P. and Karesh, W.B., 2015. Anthropogenic drivers of emerging infectious diseases. United Nations Global Sustainable Development Report Briefs.

3. Brunton, J. 2020. ‘'Nature is taking back Venice': wildlife returns to tourist-free city’ The Guardian. Friday 20th March. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/20/nature-is-taking-back-venice-wildlife-returns-to-tourist-free-city (Accessed 16/05/2020)

4. Stuart, A. 2020. ‘Goats take over empty Welsh streets during coronavirus lockdown – video’. The Guardian. Tuesday 31st March. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2020/mar/31/goats-take-over-empty-welsh-streets-llandudno-coronavirus-lockdown-video. (Accessed 15/05/2020).

5. Bressan, D. 2020. ‘Animals Roam Freely in Italian Cities With Humans in Lockdown’. Forbes. March 20th. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2020/03/20/animals-roam-freely-in-italian-cities-with-humans-in-lockdown/#6abcba907956. (Accessed 15/06/2020).

6. BBC News. 2020. ‘Coronavirus: Wild animals enjoy freedom of a quieter world’. BBC News. 29th April. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-52459487. (Accessed 15/06/2020)

7. Greenfield, P. 2020. ‘Ban wildlife markets to avert pandemics, says UN biodiversity chief’. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/06/ban-live-animal-markets-pandemics-un-biodiversity-chief-age-of-extinction. (Accessed: 18/05/2020)

8. Jasper, L. 2020. ‘Nature’s comeback? No, the coronavirus pandemic threatens the world’s wildlife’. The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/natures-comeback-no-the-coronavirus-pandemic-threatens-the-worlds-wildlife-136209. (Accessed: 18/05/2020)

9. Hamwey, R. 2020. ‘Environmental impacts of coronavirus crisis, challenges ahead’. United Nations conference on trade and development. 20th April. Available at: https://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=2333. (Accessed: 18/05/2020).

10. Dalton, J. 2020. ‘Coronavirus: Surge in poaching of endangered rhinos, jaguar and pumas as hunters emerge during lockdown’. The Independent. Monday 4th May. Available: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/coronavirus-poaching-wildlife-lockdown-rhino-jaguar-puma-cats-a9498231.html. (Accessed: 15/06/2020).

11. Moulds, J. 2020. ‘5 ways the coronavirus is affecting animals around the world’. World Economic Forum. 7th April. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/coronavirus-animals-wildlife-biodiversity-tiger-boar-pandas-zoos/. (Accessed: 18/05/2020).

12. Born Free, 2020. ‘Wildlife and Corona Virus’. Born Free. Available at: https://www.bornfree.org.uk/storage/media/content/files/WILDLIFE%20MARKET%20INFO%201%20FINAL.pdf. (Accessed: 19/05/2020)

13. Defra Press Office, 2020. ‘Support for zoos during coronavirus pandemic’. Gov.uk. Available at: https://deframedia.blog.gov.uk/2020/04/23/support-for-zoos-during-coronavirus-pandemic/. (Accessed: 19/05/2020)

14. Quinney, M. 2020. ‘COVID-19 and nature are linked. So should be the recovery’. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/covid-19-nature-deforestation-recovery. (Accessed 16/05/2020)