The coronavirus pandemic is the most disastrous disease outbreak in recent times. The pandemic altered people’s lifestyles and affected multiple sectors. One of the significantly affected areas was the environment, which saw positive and negative impacts. The effects of the coronavirus pandemic ranged from improved air quality to increased hospital waste, marking the pros and cons of Covid 19 on the ecosystem. The improved air quality was due to coronavirus control measures such as the closure of industries, which reduced greenhouse gas emissions. However, these positive impacts were short-lived and would end once the pandemic capsized. Hence, the pandemic taught individuals the need for pollution control to enjoy quality air. The paper will suggest measures for future pandemics and limit hospital waste from personal protective equipment. In this paper, the author will discuss the effects of Covid 19 on the ecosystem, including improved air quality, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, reduced water and noise pollution, and ecological restoration due to reduced tourism and detail adverse impacts, such as increased medical waste.

Although the coronavirus pandemic posed detrimental impacts and deaths, the pandemic facilitated improved air quality. According to Rume & Islam (2020), the coronavirus pandemic ensured a 50% air pollution decrease in New York compared to one year before the outbreak. The reduced air pollution positively benefits the ecosystem and explains the improved air quality during Covid 19. Fundamentally, the closure of heavy metal industries in various parts of the world, such as China, accounted for reduced air pollution. The closure of the heavy metal sector accounted for a 50% decrease in carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide production (Rume & Islam, 2020). These gases pollute the environment and pose detrimental health impacts, such as increased respiratory conditions. Hence, improved air quality was essential for the environment and the health sector as it reduced the likelihood of suffering particular chronic respiratory conditions. Furthermore, the European Environmental Agency (EEA) revealed a 30% to 60% reduction in nitrogen dioxide emission in Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, and other major European cities due to industries closing down during the pandemic (Rume & Islam, 2020). Hence, the coronavirus pandemic improved air quality and taught people to control environmental pollution and enjoy clean air.

As noted, many locations experienced a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions during the coronavirus. Greenhouse gases are detrimental as they promote global warming and trigger climate change (El Zowalaty et al., 2020). Hence, the significant drop in greenhouse gases was essential for the environment and monitoring and controlling climate change, a core goal in modern society. According to Rume & Islam (2020), vehicles contribute to 72% of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector, while air transport accounts for 11% of greenhouse gas emissions. Coronavirus control measures entailed lockdowns inhibiting air and road transport. This aspect accounts for reduced greenhouse gas production as the two transport modes significantly cause air pollution. According to Rume & Islam (2020), oil consumption reduced by 435000 barrels globally in the first quarter of 2020. Markedly, the oil sector accounts for increased greenhouse gas production due to the emission of methane and volatile organic compounds. Besides, the sector significantly emits carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, whose emissions are reduced with lowered oil use. For instance, Rume & Islam (2020) noted that COVID-19 reduced carbon dioxide emissions in China by 25%, revealing a reduction in greenhouse emissions. Therefore, coronavirus impacts the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and controlling global warming and climate change.

The coronavirus pandemic reduced water pollution, a phenomenal issue in developing countries. According to Rume & Islam (2020), several developing nations, such as Bangladesh and India, dispose of their industrial wastes in water sources. This aspect poses detrimental impacts on public health, triggering conditions such as diarrhea and cholera. During covid 19, the closure of industries reduced untreated industrial wastes disposed of water sources. For example, Rume & and Islam (2020) revealed that River Yanga and Yamuna in India recorded high levels of water purity in 2020 due to minimized disposal of industrial waste in the water bodies. Besides, the reduction of visitors in different regions accounted for low sewage and effluent disposal, minimizing water pollution. The closure of the construction and manufacturing sectors during the coronavirus explained reduced water pollution. Solid wastes from these sectors significantly pollute water sources and increase silt in water bodies (El Z