Despite all the frightening and distressing news concerning the corona virus that has been swirling amongst the media recently, the so called 'covid-19 effect' is having a greater impact on reducing the consequences of climate change than our collective efforts combined thus far. Why is it therefore, that it takes a pandemic such as this to enforce such change and, when the restraints caused by corona are lifted, will humanity forget the lesson it has taught us?

News regarding the corona virus seems unescapable at the moment. Government warnings proclaiming 'it will only get worse' seem to consume the media headlines, but amongst the overwhelming load of worrying reports and news stories, the environmental impact of the corona virus must not be ignored.

Since the outbreak of the virus, China's emissions have dropped by at least 100 million metric tonnes, according to the CREA in Finland. For the first time in years, the Venice canals are clear, and fish can be spotted in the once murky streams. A dolphin was spotted in the port of Cagliari in Italy. It seems that the corona virus is allowing nature to reclaim its planet, and is serving to be, what climate activists refer to as, a 'miracle in disguise'.

Whilst there is no denying that the Corona virus is having a catastrophic impact on the way our society functions, the lives of individuals and their daily routines and the survival of companies and business, it is crucial to find some sort of silver lining amongst such an abundance of troublesome information.

A few months ago, the planet was in a recognisably dire situation; climate change seemed imminent and it was suggested that there was nothing humans would be able to do to change this. But this has been disproved, and the corona virus, though dreadful, has shown us that a dramatic change in our lifestyle can indeed change the environmental situation of our earth. But it is apparent that, as a society, we are unwilling to make these changes unless they are forced upon us. Up until now, having a thriving economy has meant sacrificing the wellbeing of our planet, so the government, and the significant organisations who have the power to influence such changes, have prioritised the quick-cash solutions. So, consumption habits, travel and tourism, carbon emissions etc. have ensued.

The corona virus has singlehandedly achieved more for the planet in such short time than any other climate activist group or individual. Why is it however, that it takes a global pandemic to possibly save our planet? Why must we let the problem become so strenuous that it can only be solved by the outbreak of a disease and the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives? There is no denying that the prospect of a complete 'lockdown' has been a difficult and challenging one for the majority of populations. It therefore must be suggested that such an enormous change cannot occur voluntarily in such a short amount of time. Even with the risk of catching corona, people are still being seen to defy the safety laws in order to enjoy one of England's sunnier weekends or to catch up with friends. In circumstances as crucial as this, we still can't rely on the entire population of our country to comply, so how on earth can we expect society to change their lifestyles to such an extent for the survival of our planet, when most of them won't be around to face the consequences or results of their actions?

The answer it seems is that the population needs an incentive, and sadly the most effective method seems to be scaremongering; since it is the only way to grasp our attention. The proximity and immediate effect of the virus must also have had a significant impact in this; news of the deadly 'covid-19' is constantly being updated and drummed into our skulls and we are seeing the effects of infections from it instantly. Perhaps, the danger of climate change is too distant to inspire a collective effort to save our world. Maybe, if the jeopardies of climate change were featured to the extent that 'covid-19' is in the news, more people would take interest. Possibly, the reason for the apparent inundation of bad news is because it seems to be the only way to condition change.

Ultimately, we live in a society which is strangely assertive of itself and its actions, we fail to comprehend the consequences of our behaviour and the extensive impact this has on the natural world around us. The corona virus has allowed nature to breathe and heal momentarily. But when the virus dies down, and life resumes to its previous habit's; there is evidence to show that this environmental progress will be reversed. Therefore, it must be asked, will we learn our lesson from this? Or, will the corona virus and the temporary drastic changes it made to our lives be forgotten and simply stored away as one big nightmare?

By Zoe Wreford