BY A S H I K A C A P I R A L A A N D K AT H L E E N G O N Z A L E Z
As COVID-19 rearranges the way our society functions and places strain on well-established systems, it manages to reveal just how deeply those systems are tied to the environment—bringing out connections that we are distanced from and giving us an opportunity to observe our impact in new ways. The future of the environment is shaped by our interactions with it, and our response to rising issues will be at the forefront of creating lasting change. The effects of the pandemic on society requires us to look from the inside out—literally and metaphorically. Reductions in human activity on this unprecedented scale provide a window into what really happens in response, beyond models and predictions. It’s well known that behavioral changes can lead to reductions in emissions of pollutants, but recent declining trends in atmospheric concentrations in the Puget Sound region, especially nitric oxides (NOx), are a clear indication. In response to decreased vessel traffic and fewer boat trips, recorded concentrations of NOx in Seattle and Tacoma fell towards the end of March, with the downward trend becoming clearer throughout April. Although the implications of this remain to be seen after stay-at-home orders begin to lift, the effect of a reduction in traffic volume on local air quality is immediately visible.
immediately observable changes: there has been a complete shift as human traffic mutes itself to give way to the sounds of wildlife. “It’s a reminder of just how much noise we create, and what effect that might have on other species.” W H AT R E M A I N S I M P O RTA N T ?
This leads to the question—where else do we have such a pervasive impact, and where is it becoming visible? What happens to carbon emissions when traffic is reduced to a fraction of the usual? Do wildlife return when we don’t crowd parks? This opens up inquiry within many facets of environmental study, like soundscape ecology, wildlife tracking and monitoring, and atmospheric science, among others. Though avenues of investigation are currently limited by reduced research funding and lab access, and the time spent adjusting to online academic environments post-COVID, these are questions that can still have implications for current research and the future of the human ecosystem. Dr. Chris Anderson is a professor in the School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences, working on investigating the links between the economy and fisheries systems. “Our current situation is going to allow us to observe what people do in extreme circumstances,” he explains. The effect of stayat-home regulations is giving us a real-time opportunity to
OPTIMISM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD:
For Dr. Laura Prugh, a professor in the University of Washington School of Environment and Forestry Sciences studying wildlife ecology and species interactions, this is what stands out the most. “Just highlighting what a huge effect people have,” she says. “It’s fascinating to see how you can actually visualize the changes so quickly.” The soundscapes of urban and suburban areas are another example of where the drop in human activity has produced
Reductions in human activity on this unprecedented scale provide a window into what really happens in response, beyond models and predictions. 22 fieldnotesjournal.org
watch the industry respond to a drastic reorganization of the supply chain. The global fisheries supply chain is tailored to the wholesale purchase of seafood by restaurants, where approximately 70% of seafood in the US is consumed. “The demand for all types of fish has collapsed because people aren’t eating in restaurants,” Anderson says. Without demand, most fish caught domestically don’t enter markets at all. Beyond studying how the fisheries trade reacts to extremes, our situation also calls for thinking about strategies to maintain capacity when we inevitably return to business. The livelihoods of people involved in the trade—fishermen and restaurant owners, among others—are put at risk by the steep reduction in demand. However, Anderson mentions a bright side: fish stocks aren’t going anywhere, and with reduced catch, are
BANNER PHOTO NASA
what COVID-19 reveals about human impact and maintaining a sustainable relationship with the environment
