You've heard the anecdotes and watched the viral internet videos: of "nature healing" itself during the COVID pandemic. From the waters clearing in Venice, to swarms of flamingos descending on Mumbai, to blue skies over Chinese cities that have been buried under air pollution for decades, the global economic slowdown caused by COVID has had some upsides for the environment.
A new report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) discloses just how big those upsides have been.
Listen to our interview with the OECD report author, on our latest podcast
According to the OECD, there has been a measurable short-term drop in global environmental pressures as a result of COVID:
GHG emissions: -7% Air pollutants: as much as -7%
Materials use (esp. construction): as much as -10%
Land use change: -2%
Now, we know from previous economic recessions that pollution can bounce back in a big way. After the 2008-09 global financial crisis, we saw a historic increase in GHG emissions that erased the short-term reductions observed during the recession. Will we see the same kind of bounce back in pollution following COVID?
According to the OECD report, if the world's more advanced economies turn their talk of "green recovery" into action, it will produce long-term benefits. How much so? Starting with a permanent 3% drop in GHG emissions.
Learn more on the latest episode of "Smart Prosperity: The Podcast".
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