According to the Finnish Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the coronavirus has had only a temporary effect on carbon emissions.
Speaking to Yle on Saturday, Petteri Taalas said the pandemic reduced emissions earlier in the year, but the figures have now returned to previous levels.
"Over the last few months, CO2 emissions have returned to almost 2019 levels," said Taalas.
Large-scale locking around the world reduced emissions in the spring globally, and according to WMO’s Global Carbon Project, emissions fell by 17 percent in April compared to 2019.
This was due to a decrease in the use of transport and a decrease in industrial production.
Full-year emissions are expected to be four to seven percent lower than in 2019.
Climate change not affected by a pandemic
The World Health Organization (WHO) and WMO jointly held a conference in August to assess the impact of climate on the pandemic.
"Seasonal flu is often weather dependent, but nothing similar has been found in relation to the current pandemic," said Taalas.
The climate affects many diseases, and changes in the prevailing weather conditions cause malaria, dengue fever, cholera and, in Finland, mites.
Taalas argues that climate change can be mitigated with relatively small changes in everyday life and relatively small economic costs.
Fighting the coronavirus has led to significant restrictions on people’s lives and significant economic losses. On the other hand, the coronavirus is a relatively short-term shock, while not curbing climate change would lead to hundreds of years of negative consequences for the world economy and people’s living standards.
"It is necessary to resolve both," said Taalas. "In the short term, Korona and its economic impact will be the most significant issue. Climate change is the greatest challenge facing humanity in the coming decades."
Taalas is optimistic about mitigating climate change because he says it is time to find solutions.
"There is reason to be optimistic that this problem can be solved, and at best we will reach the Paris Conference target of limiting global warming to 1.5-2" said Taalas.
"The measures needed to combat climate change are far less dramatic than those needed to combat Covid," said Taalas. "We can overcome climate change with relatively small measures and relatively low financial costs."
The U.S. election could affect the climate
Taalas said U.S. climate action could come even if Donald Trump, who resigned from the Paris climate agreement, wins the November presidential election.
"Trump has publicly said he does not want to take the matter forward, but the country is moving in the right direction anyway, especially at the corporate and state levels," said Taalas.
If Biden wins, climate action may be more systematic.
"Biden has announced that if he wins, they will return to the Paris Agreement," said Taalas. "The United States has continued to be involved in the negotiations."
Taalas had warm words for China’s decision to adhere to carbon neutrality by 2060.
"This is a big challenge for China because China’s energy production is based on coal and they currently have quite a lot of cars," said Taalas. "It is great news that China is going towards this goal. China is currently the number one source of emissions."