Environment: What’s a post-COVID-19 World?

According to a study published in Nature Climate Change, worldwide lockdowns have triggered a dramatic fall in global carbon emissions. But as countries slowly get back to normal activity, no impact is expected on global warming. For scientists, structural changes are needed.

“ Carbon emissions fall 17% worldwide under coronavirus lockdowns, study finds  ” , CBS News, May 20, 2020

Young people are the new driving forces in the battle against climate change. A battle that Soyoung Lee, youngest member of the South Korean parliament, wants to conduct. Convinced that creating jobs and raising climate ambitions can go together, the MP is pushing for the establishment of a Korean Green New Deal.

“ Could a Green New Deal turn South Korea from climate villain to model?  ” , The Guardian, May 23, 2020

COVID-19 may be a major crisis, but climate change still is this century’s major challenge. All have worsened world inequality, and both crises collide for unprecedented consequences. Future solutions must include analyses of these risks.

“ What a Week’s Disasters Tell Us About Climate and the Pandemic  ” , The New York Times, May 23, 2020

Is Australia going into a new “fire age”? For scientists, the answer is yes. According to officials, fire weather lasts longer and is much more intense. Indeed, research shows the decisive role that global warming plays in exacerbating the phenomenon. Extreme spike days and bushfires have already caused fatalities.

“ Fire season extends by almost four months in parts of Australia  ” , The Sydney Morning Herald, May 25, 2020