We investigate the change of GHG emission during and energy consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. By clarifying the impact of COVID-19 on GHG emission and energy consumption, we help and encourage local managers and public agencies to tackle the environmental problems.
Reduced economic activity due to lockdown to combat COVID-19 is having positive environmental effects, such as improved air pollution and reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. However, if we restart the economic activity at the same level as before the pandemic, the situation will soon go back to the original state. In order to avoid global warming, it is necessary to continue limiting emissions of the pollutants and limiting traffic, transportation, and industrial production long after the pandemic is over. To encourage people to pay attention to this, we need to clarify the current situation.
The aim of our project is to clarify the effect of COVID-19 on GHG emission and energy consumption in order to promote the usage of clean energy.
First, we obtained the greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, H2O) concentration data from JAXA's GOSAT (Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite) satellite and NO2 concentration data from Sentinel 5-P. We examined the concentration change during the pandemic.
Next, we obtained the data of energy consumption data in Kanto district and Kyusyu district of Japan from 2017 to 2020. They are provided from Tokyo Electric Power Company and Kyusyu Electric Power, respectively. The average energy consumption from 2017 to 2019 is compared with that of 2020.
Figure 1 shows the CO2 concentration in Kanto and Kyusyu districts. The CO2 concentration has been increasing after the COVID-19 pandemic. In Kanto, the average concentration from January to April in 2018 and 2019 is 411.2377 ppmv. On the other hand, the average concentration from January to April in 2020 is 414.2940 ppmv. In Kyusyu, the average concentration from January to April in 2018 and 2019 is 411.3333 ppmv and the average concentration from January to April in 2020 is 414.5372 ppmv.
Figures 2 and 3 show the CH4 and H20 concentrations in Kanto and Kyusyu, respectively. CH4 and H2O concentrations did not change much in both Kanto and Kyusyu.
Figure 4 shows the image of NO2 concentration obtained from Sentinel-5P. NO2 concentration has certainly decreased in both Kanto and Kyusyu.
Figure 5 shows the power consumption in Tokyo (Kanto) and Kyusyu. The power consumption in 2020 is basically lower than the average power consumption from 2017 to 2019.
FIgures are shown here.
Remote sensing data show that the CO2 concentration in Kanto and Kyusyu districts has been increasing, far from decreasing. during the pandemic. It is difficult to pay attention to GHG emission and air pollution in this emergency. However, in addition to dealing with coronaviruses, we must also address environmental issues.
Figures: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YnMQPj6denGxl0dcVqkgMdPWUVWbw3R2/view?usp=sharing
Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14EzKU3ZECWVw1SJOjsEh5paWk-9Bj8oq09Cz90VI5Ag/edit?usp=sharing
JAXA GOSAT Data Archive Service (GDAS): https://data2.gosat.nies.go.jp/index_en.html
ESA Sentinel-5P Mapping Service: https://maps.s5p-pal.com/
TEPCO Electricity Forecast: https://www.tepco.co.jp/en/forecast/html/index-e.html
Kyusyu Electric Power Electricity Forecast: https://www.kyuden.co.jp/td_power_usages/pc.html