Environmental effects of COVID-19 pandemic and potential strategies of sustainability

2020/09/01 by Tanjena Rume, S. M. Didar-Ul Islam · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Medicine · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · #COVID-19 impact on air quality #Healthcare and Environmental Waste Management #COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts #Pandemic #Sustainability #Tourism #Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) #Business #Environmental planning #Environmental pollution #Natural resource economics #Outbreak #Environmental quality #Environmental resource management #Environmental protection #Environmental science #Geography #Economics #Disease #Medicine #Political science #Ecology #Infectious disease (medical specialty)

paper · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04965

openalex publication_date 2020/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is affecting every part of human lives, including the physical world. The measures taken to control the spread of the virus and the slowdown of economic activities have significant effects on the environment. Therefore, this study intends to explore the positive and negative environmental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, by reviewing the available scientific literatures. This study indicates that, the pandemic situation significantly improves air quality in different cities across the world, reduces GHGs emission, lessens water pollution and noise, and reduces the pressure on the tourist destinations, which may assist with the restoration of the ecological system. In addition, there are also some negative consequences of COVID-19, such as increase of medical waste, haphazard use and disposal of disinfectants, mask, and gloves; and burden of untreated wastes continuously endangering the environment. It seems that, economic activities will return soon after the pandemic, and the situation might change. Hence, this study also outlines possible ways to achieve long-term environmental benefits. It is expected that the proper implementation of the proposed strategies might be helpful for the global environmental sustainability.

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Cited by

• Greenhouse gas emissions [wikipedia]