New research has shown the dramatic effect of the national lockdown on air quality in New Zealand, and climate experts say it’s proof that we have the power to improve our environment.
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Experts say it’s proof that we have the power to improve our environment. Source: 1 NEWS
Initial results from NIWA air quality monitoring show a sharp drop in traffic pollution in our largest city.
NIWA Senior Air Quality Scientist Dr Ian Longley tested the air quality in Auckland last Thursday, our first day of lockdown, and found huge reductions in pollution compared to at the levels of the past five years.
“The Lincoln Road at Henderson Thursday and Friday afternoon effectively had zero air pollution from road traffic,” said Dr Longley.
“These are some of the biggest reductions we’ve seen in the world. “
According to NIWA, according to tests carried out at a council test site in Takapuna, near the northern highway, nitrogen oxide levels fell by a third during the morning rush hour and were reduced up to 80% for the rest of the day.
On Queen Street, historically one of the most polluted places in the country, nitrogen oxides fell to half their usual level for most of the day.
Data for Wellington and Christchurch is still being worked out, but with tens of thousands of cars currently off-road, NIWA expects similar results.
“The air quality in these cities at this time of year is very similar. The traffic levels go down similarly, so I would expect a similar result there. “
Dr Longley said the results were “quite remarkable”.
“It’s largely because all of our pollution is ours, we don’t pull it from other countries, we can’t blame other countries. It really shows that we can have the purest air in the world, ”he said.
Tests are underway to measure the reduction in greenhouse gases in New Zealand.
“What the climate communities think is that if you see the levels of air pollution decrease, you will also see the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions decrease as well.
“Everything comes from energy consumption, industrial activity, the driving of transport cars. If the air clears up, hopefully greenhouse gas emissions will go down as well, at least in the short term.
Professor Renwick says the data shows we can have an impact on the climate if we change our behavior.
“It shows that we can act quickly when we have to as a society, as a government, as an economy and make the changes we need to make.
“We are facing an existential threat from Covid-19, we need to act now and this is happening.
“Climate change is the same situation, we only have a few years to halve global emissions. We know it can be done and it is happening before our eyes.
Dr Longley says the results are a victory for public health as well.
“This is a really important result for people who live near major highways and are exposed to traffic pollution day in and day out, now they have a break.”
“This virus is everywhere and air pollution can make it worse for people vulnerable to viruses.”
Professor Renwick says he hopes some changes that have been forced on the nation will remain after the lockdown, such as switching to video conferencing instead of traveling to meetings by road or air.
“I think the current situation has shown us that we can connect without having to be physically face to face. In terms of business, academia and science, I would love to see virtual meetings unfold and stay deployed around the world. “
