By Victoria Toledo

With so many people in self quarantine, the air is starting to breathe a little.

The COVID-19 outbreak has spread throughout the world. Health officials have advised people to self quarantine in their homes in order to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.

Businesses, schools, and even some government offices are closed. In many states, the only places that are open are essential businesses such as medical facilities, post offices and delivery companies, banks, gas stations, and transportation centers. Most people are not going anywhere because of the quarantine. People have stopped driving to work and are not flying to places for work or vacation. So what does this mean for the environment?

This shut down has significantly reduced carbon emissions globally.

Seventh grade science teacher and environmental advocate, Mary Kathryn Thome writes, “The long term impact will be on our consciousness and understanding of what impact our consumption has globally.” If people recognize how this global shutdown is positively impacting the environment, then hopefully they will change some of their behaviors for the better once this is over.