Much has been written about how carbon emissions have significantly reduced all over the world since the coronavirus outbreak and its associated social distancing practices. According to NASA, in January and February of 2020, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels, a way of measuring pollution,  in eastern and central China were 10 to 30 percent lower than what is normally observed for this time period. Similarly, the water in the canals of Venice looks clearer because there is less boat traffic. Likewise, in the United States, a satellite that detects emissions in the atmosphere linked to cars and trucks shows huge declines in pollution over major metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, Chicago and Atlanta.

However, these results are going to be just temporary as once normal activities resume the levels will rise once again. Moreover, there is a lot of wastage in other forms. For example, most grocery stores have temporarily banned the use of reusable cloth shopping bags due to the risk of contracting the virus through them. As a result, plastic bag consumption, with all its ill effects on the environment, is on the increase. Likewise, as we clean our packages there is an increase in paper towel usage.