China’s carbon dioxide emissions are down 25 percent in the coronavirus traces. It shows a new analysis. A large number of canceled flights also lead to reduced emissions – but it is unclear how long.

The coronavirus leads to sharply reduced emissions

Empty streets, canceled flights, crowded hospitals. The coronavirus covid-19 has had major consequences in China since the outbreak of the disease at the turn of the year. Over 75,000 Chinese are confirmed to be infected, and nationals have changed their living habits to avoid the infection.

The virus spread has, among other things, affected China’s greenhouse gas emissions. According to the British climate site Carbon brief, the country’s carbon dioxide emissions have fallen by a quarter in recent weeks.

“It is the first time I have seen such a dramatic fall, on such a large area, for a specific event,” said Fei Liu, an air quality researcher at the Goddard Space Flight Center.

Number of cases globally (1 March at 11.02)

According to the European Disease Protection Agency’s ECDC compilation on March 1, more than 87,000 cases of covid-19 have been reported and 2,979 people have died of the infection (2,872 of whom have died in China).

According to the WHO’s latest report on February 29, more than 85,400 cases of covid-19 have been reported and 2,944 people have died of the infection (2,838 of whom have died in China).

The vast majority of cases have been found in Hubei Province, China. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been detected in a number of countries outside China. Currently, there is also a spread of infection in South Korea, some areas in Italy and Iran.

The number of confirmed and suspected cases is constantly changing as people seek care and are examined for the virus.

2019–20 coronavirus outbreak

The coronavirus outbreak 2019-20 is an ongoing public health crime of international concern involving major outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Central China, South Korea, Italy and Iran that have spread throughout Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East, along with sporadic cases all over the world.

It is caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus) and was first identified by the health authorities in Wuhan, Hubei, China. As of March 1, 2020, more than 87,000 cases have been confirmed in 65 territories, of which 8,000 were classified as serious.

At least 3,000 deaths have been attributed to the disease, most in China with more than 100 deaths in other countries. More than 42,000 people have recovered. The risk of spreading it further is very high.