Many nations quickly closed their borders once the epidemic hit to safeguard people’s lives and livelihoods. Unfortunately, the crisis hasn’t done much to unite nations against this common enemy that can’t be seen, with disagreements over who should be held accountable for the epidemic and how to respond sometimes escalating geopolitical tensions.
The significant ways in which COVID-19 and relevant COVID tests have affected virtually every aspect of life on Earth may nevertheless unify us in some respects, providing us with a rare opportunity to pause and reflect on how we live. The idea of a “return to normality” is made more optimistic by the discovery of adequate vaccination, but have these tremendous accelerations of current trends already permanently altered how we travel, work, and consume as well as the character of our cities?
- Energy and emissions: An opportunity for improvement
The energy industry has been immediately impacted by national lockdowns, both in terms of production and consumption, after too much rapid COVID tests in Dallas. For each month of lockdown, usage has often decreased by up to 20%, leading to what the IEA has called a “protracted Sunday” of prolonged low-level consumption. Even while homeworking has boosted residential power usage by about 40%, the demand that has been lost due to the closure of enterprises and offices has not been made up for.
The total energy consumed worldwide is expected to decrease by almost 6% in 2020 compared to 201. According to Antony Froggatt, deputy head of the Energy, Environment, and Resources (EER) program, the demand for oil and gas has also reduced ram, aggravating a trend of market decline.
- Significantly hindered travel
Countries, notably the US, reported vehicle traffic declines to levels not seen since the 1950s during the lockdown. When they peaked, there were more than 70% fewer automobiles on the road. Around 80% of all air travel has decreased internationally, with Europe being the most hit. The UK’s Heathrow airport reported a 97% decrease in passenger counts in April 2020 compared to 2019.
According to Quiggin, the price of electric cars (EVs) will continue to drop until it reaches parity with combustion-engine vehicles; moreover, the usage of green hydrogen is anticipated to increase. Considering how many people are employed in the automobile industry, EVs provide a way to keep those used while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the car industry should be given tax incentives subject to EV production goals.
- There is a redefining of work
Distinct workers and supply chain participants now have different values, at least momentarily. According to Ana Yang, acting executive director of the Hoffmann Centre, there has been some improvement in the acknowledgment of “important” employees and crucial frontline people, including teachers, grocery workers, delivery drivers, and those in the health and care industries.
It remains to be seen, and she adds, “how or if this will transfer into improved longer-term remuneration and recognition.” The virus has also brought to light significant socioeconomic disparities, with zero-hours workers in danger of losing their employment and those working in factories, warehouses, and taxis being forced to choose between risking infection and losing valuable revenue.
After a few months, many are increasingly highlighting the social function of the workplace and how interaction with coworkers is underrated in terms of its advantages for productivity and mental health.
- The food supply’s vulnerability has been revealed
The epidemic has brought attention to the value of smaller, local supply chains that we can adjust to meet the demands of local communities quickly.
According to Benton, you observed nascent informal marketplaces and flexible companies advancing the situation. However, it is unclear how widespread or long-lasting any shift toward more seasonal, regional food supply chains will be in the absence of specialized assistance or official involvement and the face of a severe economic downturn.
- Information on potential “ghost” cities
More optimistically, Bicquelet-Lock notes that as individuals increasingly forgo lengthy journeys in favor of more individualized “micro-mobility,” smaller communities may experience a surge in hybrid working and become vibrant new centers.
Bicquelet-Lock claims there are “no easy remedies” even though millions of square feet of prime city-center real estate remain vacant. And they all express concern about the possibility of some segments of society—like women and underprivileged communities—again falling behind. More generally, emerging nations share this concern.
- There are victors and losers in “Big Tech.”
The ongoing growth of internet giants like Amazon, whose earnings and stock have surged, contributes to high-street retail’s death. However, the coronavirus outbreak has a more detrimental impact on companies as people are even getting their COVID tests by booking online.
Jennifer Zhu Scott of the Asia-Pacific program states, “Many industries that require a physical consumer presence, including tourism and conventional retail, are being wiped out.” While many software start-ups concentrating on business sales were deprived [of customers] during the lockout, remote working platforms like Zoom have soared. If businesses can survive until the epidemic is gone, companies employing AI to support conventional sectors would benefit from pent-up growth, she says.