The positive and negative consequences of corona (COVID-19) on the environment and natural resources during its epidemic

Document Type : (original research)

Authors

Department of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

10.22034/aej.2021.297474.2592

Abstract

The corona virus has affected all aspects of human life, including the environment, since the epidemic. Certainly, definitive statements about these effects require more and longer data on a large scale. However, since the days of the Corona epidemic, arguing about its effects on the environment has been highly controversial. The aim of current study is to investigate the positive and negative effects of corona virus on the environment and natural resources on national (regional) scale. In order to conduct the research, open or unstructured interviews and purposive sampling method were used to select informants. Through the release of informants, the issue of corona impacts on nature was explored from various perspectives, with respondents commenting in any way they could, on the effects of corona virus on the environment and natural resources. The interviews were conducted individually and by person, all conversations were recorded and then transcribed, and some numbers of comments were collected via email. The results showed that the most important positive effects of Covid-19 on the environment and natural resources include revising the human relationship with the environment and changing human paradims, increasing social interaction, reducing traffic, travel, air pollution, reducing fuel consumption, relative ozone repair, reducing deforestation and the environment by the general public, reducing pressure on wildlife, reducing water pollution and noise pollution. Also, the most important negative effects of Covid-19 on natural and environmental resources include c energy consumption (water, electricity and gas), increasing the production of sewage and food waste, increasing the production of infectious and hospital waste and their release into nature, increasing the consumption of plastic products. Rubber and disposable utensils and washing and disinfection of urban roads with disinfectants and increasing of pollution caused by it, reducing the segregation of waste, aggravating poverty and increasing unemployment, and reducing the physical protection of forests. In general, the positive impacts of the corona virus on natural resources and the environment have been undeniable and significant, but compared to the cases leading to the impact on nature and its destruction in the many years ago is temporary and short. Therefore, in addition to the ongoing efforts to control and defeat the corona virus, it is necessary to emphasize to have economy with a dynamic and healthy structure and being aware of the opportunities and threats posed by the corona virus to provide targeted education and culture to treat the environment and protect nature actions.

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References

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Journal of Animal Environment
Volume 14, Issue 2
July 2022
Pages 355-364

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