This Earth Day, we’re in the midst of the worst global pandemic in a century.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on everyone.
Half the world’s population—3.9 billion people—experience lockdown. Source: AFP
8.8% of working hours were lost, the equivalent of 255m full-time jobs. Source: ILO
By mid-April 2021, 140 million people had tested positive and three million deaths were officially attributed to Covid-19 globally. Source: JHU
In 2020, the global economy shrunk 4.3%. Source: World Bank
In 2020, international tourism fell 74%. Source: UNWTO
Manufacturing fell 8%. Source: UNIDO
There was a 9% drop in trade. Source: WTO
Global energy use fell 4% in 2020, including for natural gas (-2.5%), coal (-4%) and oil (-8.6%). Source: IEA
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions experienced their biggest drop in history. 7% Source: Carbon Brief
To meet the Paris Agreement targets to limit global warming, we would need to cut CO2 every year through 2030.
When we emerge from the pandemic, human activity will pick up again. Can we still cut greenhouse gases?
Yes. If we act now to:
Dispose of refrigerants properly.
Use cleaner cookstoves
Restore tropical forests
Invest in health and education
Switch to plant-rich diets
Reduce food waste
Shift to renewable energy