The Paradox of COVID-19? ... Global Air Quality Improved Last Year Due to 'Jipkok'

40% Reduction in Ultrafine Dust in Asia Region
World Meteorological Organization: "Temporary and Localized Phenomenon"

On the afternoon of the 3rd, when rain repeatedly fell and stopped, scattered rain clouds were seen in the sky near Songaksan, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju.

The United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced on the 3rd (local time) that air quality significantly improved worldwide last year as lockdowns continued across countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to major foreign media including the AP News, the WMO stated in its first-ever published "Air Quality and Climate Bulletin" that "PM 2.5 levels decreased by up to 40% across Africa, South America, and South Asia, with slight reductions also observed in parts of Europe and North America."

It also reported that major air pollutants dramatically decreased more in urban areas than in rural regions.

The WMO's study analyzed changes in key pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and ozone.

Oksana Tarasova, Head of the WMO Atmospheric Environment Research Division, explained, "Lockdowns have considerably improved air quality worldwide," adding, "Most airborne particulate matter has improved."

According to the bulletin, the concentration of harmful nitrogen emitted from fuel combustion last year decreased overall by about 70% compared to 2015?2019.

However, pollutants exceeding air quality standards are still regularly emitted in various parts of the world, and the air quality improvement effect is considered temporary and localized.

Director Tarasova stated, "The impact of such (lockdown) measures on major pollutants does not last long," explaining, "Measures restricting movement mean no cars on the streets, which immediately leads to improved air quality. But once cars return to the roads, air quality will deteriorate again."

Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the WMO, also said, "COVID-19 turned out to be an unplanned 'air quality experiment,'" adding, "It only led to localized and temporary improvements."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.