The coronavirus pandemic in Bahrain has helped nature heal with improved air quality, decreased CO2 emissions ... and has also given migratory birds a reason to cheer.
However, it has led to an increase in plastic pollution, the emergence of discarded face masks littering the ground and increased power consumption as a result of the large numbers of people working from home.
These are the findings of a first-of-its-kind comprehensive study conducted by Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat), in co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme.
“We conducted this study to assess the environmental impacts of Covid-19 in Bahrain, that covered 24 different questions which were answered by a team of 14 experts,” the think tank’s research associate Abdulaziz Al Doseri told the GDN.
“These experts included academics, senior government officials, non-governmental organisations and the private sector, who were all roped in to share their views.”
Mr Al Doseri said that the questions covered the direct effect of pollution, its impact on public health, the effect on the energy sector, change in public behaviour and how policy-makers adopted to the ‘new normal’.
“The pandemic helped in improving the air quality with 58 per cent drop in air traffic and low emissions due to many staff working from home,” he said.
The study was recently highlighted in a webinar in which Mr Al Doseri showed a graph indicating the average PM2.5 level at the US Embassy in Zinj showed a 4pc change compared with 2019. PM 2.5 refers to a category of particulate pollutant that is 2.5 microns or smaller in size.
“However, this is only for one location and not covering all of Bahrain, but if we consider the restrictions last year and reduced economic activity, the air quality definitely improved.”
Furthermore, the findings revealed an increase in migratory bird numbers at Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve.
The pandemic also led to the annual camping season in Sakhir being cancelled. This allowed new plants to grow in the area, the research revealed.
Researchers agreed all the positive indicators were temporary because when life returns to normal the figures will likely return to the way they were prior to the pandemic. Likewise, negative aspects of recent changes may also abate.
“The team of researchers found an increase in consumption of single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery and gloves,” said Mr Al Doseri. “Before the pandemic, everyone was talking about reducing or banning single-use plastic, but that suddenly changed last year because of Covid-19 health and safety restrictions.
“Face masks were found to be discarded at various locations, perhaps indicating a low awareness among the public about the risk of disposing of such items.”
The group of experts agreed in the study that energy and drinking water consumption increased last year too.
“Many employees were working from their homes rather than from their office, which resulted in higher power consumption,” stated Mr Al Doseri.
“On the other hand, local oil and gas consumption was the lowest last April, with a 44pc drop in jet fuel demand due to a suspension of flights to some destinations.”
Mr Al Doseri said the oil sector and the Electricity and Water Authority’s operations remained unaffected as they were well prepared to deal with fluctuations.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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