The UN policy brief stated that levels of nitrogen dioxide fell by more than 70% during the lockdown in New Delhi. The environmental gains could be temporary if the cities re-open without policies to prevent air pollution and promote de-carbonization. The UN Secretary-General’s Policy Brief on ‘COVID-19 in an Urban World’ claimed that along with a predicted 90% of all stated COVID-19 scenarios, city places have actually come to be the epicenter of the pandemic. It also pointed out that many new scientific studies show that poor air quality is correlated with higher COVID-19 mortality. The population of urban areas and the high level of global and local interconnection make them vulnerable to the spread of the virus.
Changes in NO2 levels worldwide
During the lockdown, nitrogen dioxide levels decreased by 70% in New Delhi, 40% in urban areas in China, 20% in Belgium and Germany, and 19–40% in different areas of the US,” the brief said. A small increase in the fine particulate matter has been associated with an 8% increase and up to 21.4% increase in death rates in the US and the Netherlands, respectively, it said. The new evidence shows the impact on maternal mortality rates of pregnant women and newborns as well, especially among the population who are already under socio-economic stress due to being marginalized. UN chief Antonio Guterres said urban areas were ground zero of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 90% of the reported cases.
Now is the time to rethink and reshape the urban world
He said “Cities are bearing the brunt of the crisis – many with strained health systems, inadequate water and sanitation services, and other challenges. This is especially the case in poorer areas, where the pandemic has exposed deeply rooted inequalities. We must act with the same urgency and resolve to transform cities and address the climate and pollution crises. Now is the time to rethink and reshape the urban world.”
