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

Abstract

Introduction: 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.
Materials & Methods: 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.
Results: 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.
Conclusion: In general, the positive impacts of the corona virus on natural resources and
the environment has 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.