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Observed and Potential Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Environment

Author

Listed:
  • Sorin Cheval

    (“Henri Coandă” Air Force Academy, 500183 Brașov, Romania
    National Meteorological Administration, 013686 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Cristian Mihai Adamescu

    (Research Center for Systems Ecology and Sustainability, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Teodoro Georgiadis

    (Institute for the BioEconomy-CNR, 40129 Bologna, Italy)

  • Mathew Herrnegger

    (Institute for Hydrology and Water Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), 1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Adrian Piticar

    (“Henri Coandă” Air Force Academy, 500183 Brașov, Romania)

  • David R. Legates

    (Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716-2541, USA
    Department of Applied Economics and Statistics, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716-2541, USA)

Abstract

Various environmental factors influence the outbreak and spread of epidemic or even pandemic events which, in turn, may cause feedbacks on the environment. The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic on 13 March 2020 and its rapid onset, spatial extent and complex consequences make it a once-in-a-century global disaster. Most countries responded by social distancing measures and severely diminished economic and other activities. Consequently, by the end of April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to numerous environmental impacts, both positive such as enhanced air and water quality in urban areas, and negative, such as shoreline pollution due to the disposal of sanitary consumables. This study presents an early overview of the observed and potential impacts of the COVID-19 on the environment. We argue that the effects of COVID-19 are determined mainly by anthropogenic factors which are becoming obvious as human activity diminishes across the planet, and the impacts on cities and public health will be continued in the coming years.

Suggested Citation

  • Sorin Cheval & Cristian Mihai Adamescu & Teodoro Georgiadis & Mathew Herrnegger & Adrian Piticar & David R. Legates, 2020. "Observed and Potential Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-25, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:4140-:d:369671
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