Can reducing the intensity of human activity, as seen during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, cause a rapid improvement in the environment?
Improved air quality in India during the 2020 lockdown caused an uptick in surface greenness and photosynthetic activity in plants as compared to pre-lockdown levels, a new study has revealed. Conducted by scientists at the Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, the study compares air quality levels during the COVID-19 necessitated lockdown in 2020 against similar pre-lockdown data (March-September, 2017-19) and notes reduced levels of aerosols and particulate matter (PM 2.5). The improved air quality during the lockdown in turn increased photosynthetic activity in plants, the study says.
Source : The Hindu