Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and quarantines have led to significant industrial slowdowns among the world's major emitters of air pollutants, with resulting decreases to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are major concerns that these decreases in atmospheric pollution can be hampered as economies are reactivated. Historically, countries have weakened environmental legislations following economic slowdown to encourage renewed economic growth. Such a policy response now will likely have disproportionate impacts on global indigenous people and marginalized groups within countries, who have already faced disproportionate impacts from COVID-19. Bold government decisions can restart economies while pre-empting future inequities and committing to environmental protection.