Questioning the Green Recovery: A Take on Post-COVID Scenario

Basu, Anindya; Basu, Lopamudra Bakshi

As the COVID-19 pandemic rampaged the world, many found solace in the improving air and water quality, more fabulous greener cover, and invigorating bio-diversity. However, the question arises whether these positive changes could be maintained in the post-COVID world, with an increase in economic activities alongside the unrestricted mobility of people and goods. The paper tries to gauge the situation beyond this short-lived moment of environmental rejuvenation, which seems quite grave. The entire work has been based on extensive literature review and perception studies. The adequate provision of sanitary landfills and medical incinerators for safe disposal of medical wastes was already in question in developing countries. The high usage of protective gear like personal protective equipment, gloves, masks, face shields, etc. will incite unscientific disposal and burning—leading to soil and air pollution. The quantum of air pollution may get higher due to avoidance of mass and para-transit modes of communication and over-reliance on personal vehicles to continue social distancing. Besides, maintaining self-hygiene at regular intervals, an antidote for corona infectivity, in a water-stressed world where 2.2 billion people do not have access to safe potable water will add to water scarcity. Further, indiscriminate usage of low-quality sanitizer to fight the virus causes serious health hazards and affects the environment detrimentally. For reaping the benefit of the current green environment, sustainable strategies have to be developed to cope with the new normal.