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Scientists say that in Russia there is no public data on air pollution. Therefore, for analysis of emissions, a model was developed applied that extrapolate the data of major world cities Russian cities. According to these calculations, the concentration of nitrogen dioxide in January-may in the big cities of the Russian Federation was lower than in 2019, by 19.5%, the concentration of so-called ultrafine particles less than 10 micrometres and less than 2.5 micrometers – is below the average of 14.3 and 14.7%, respectively.

the Pandemic has led to the greatest in the entire history of observations the reduction of emissions of polluting substances into the atmosphere and improve air quality in the world, says the Director of the Institute of ecology, HSE Boris Morgunov. Overall emission reductions due to the pandemic was 6 times more than during the global financial crisis of 2008 and more than 2 times than during the Second world war. The reasons for this are the slowdown in the global economy, the reduction of production volumes, electricity consumption and reducing traffic flows.

the Total energy demand in the first quarter of this year decreased compared to the previous year by 3.8%, the demand for coal and oil – by 8% and 5% respectively, electricity demand decreased by 20% (mainly due to a decline in consumption in the commercial real estate industry, government agencies of various restrictive measures). As a result of global emissions of carbon dioxide by the beginning of April has decreased on average by 17% compared to the same period of 2019. In case of preservation of the restrictive measures until the end of the year total reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide in the world may amount to 7%.

In most States the reduction of emissions was observed in late February – early March, since the introduction of restrictive measures. And the more severe were the restrictions, the more reduced daily emissions. While households, on the contrary, the introduction of a regime of isolation or quarantine increased emissions.

the Contribution of transport to air pollution is estimated at 20-50%. Therefore, restrictions on movement significantly influenced the reduction of emissions, particularly nitrogen dioxide and ultrafine particles.

At the same time, the researchers note, although carbon dioxide emissions this year are lower than normal, its overall concentration in the atmosphere is growing – in April she was 0.69% higher than in April 2019.

According to experts, the reduction of emissions will be short and return quickly to their average values. So, in China, daily volumes of carbon dioxide is returned to the start of 2020.

By the end of 2020 energy demand and consumption increase in comparison with last year’s figures, along with the consumption will increase global emissions. In WedDesroches term, since most countries have not yet switched to the decarbonization of their economies, also should not expect significant changes in emissions, concentrations of pollutants and improve air quality. “Barring an extraordinary event on a planetary scale, affecting the economic and social activity of the whole population,” are discussed by experts.