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Economic, Environmental Interests Compete in a Post-COVID Europe

Marthe van der Wolf

   AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - The coronavirus lockdown in many European
   countries has led to less pollution. But policy decisions in coming
   months will make clear if an economic recovery helps or hurts
   environmental gains.

   Europe's cities, where streets are usually congested, are now quiet, as
   people are forced to stay at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

   Alberto Gonzalez Ortiz, an air quality expert at the European
   Environment Agency, says air pollution is down since lockdowns were
   implemented in cities across the continent.

   "In some cities, it's from one week to another we see a reduction of
   more than half of the concentrations. The reductions are not the same
   in all cities. Because the lockdown measures are not the same or not so
   intense either in all countries and they have started at different
   times," Gonzales said.

   In Europe, 2019 was the hottest year ever recorded. But with millions
   of people forced to stay home, consuming less and traveling less, there
   is a reduction in emissions, carbon and air pollution.

   But countries across the continent want to slowly ease restrictions to
   get the economy going again. Some people are concerned a quick return
   to life as it was before COVID-19 might undo newly gained environmental
   benefits.

   Imke Lübbeke of the environmental group World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says
   there is no reason yet to celebrate about environmental gains.

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