, Columnist
Will the Coronavirus Turn Out Green or Brown?
It’s too early to say what role the pandemic will play in the fight against climate change. But Europe could hold the key.
Fighting more than one crisis.
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Covid-19 has been simultaneously good and bad for humanity’s struggle to limit global warming. So far, it’s hard to say what the net balance will be. But the European Union could tilt it positive, if it so chooses.
On the good side of the ledger, global emissions of greenhouse gases plummeted during the lockdowns. On the bad side, they’re already heading back up to pre-corona levels. This year’s dip will make us no more likely to achieve our goals for slowing climate change.