Global Pandemic , Causes Carbon Dioxide Emissions, to Drop 7 in 2020 .br Although 2020 was a devastating year for many, COVID-19br lockdowns actually benefited the environment. .br The Global Carbon Project releasedbr a report revealing that carbon dioxidebr emissions fell by 7 across the world. .br That’s the biggest yearly drop ever recorded. .br In the United States and Europe, emissionsbr dropped by 12 and 11 percent, respectively. .br Researchers believe the largestbr share of the decrease is due to lessbr emissions from transportation.br In China, emissions only dropped by 1.7 percent,br likely because they had an earlier lockdown andbr a less drastic second wave of infections. .br China also has more industrial-basedbr emissions, meaning its industry was less affectedbr than transportation by COVID-19 lockdowns. .br Unfortunately, global emissions still ledbr to an increased amount of CO2 in the atmosphere,br as it still amounted to 37 billion tons produced. .br The atmospheric CO2 level, andbr consequently the world’s climate,br will only stabilize when global CO2br emissions are near zero, Lead Researcher Pierre Friedlingstein,br University of Exeter, via ‘USA Today’.br In order to see lasting change, thebr Global Carbon Project says “concertedbr action” and “investment” is needed. .br We need concerted action that is planned,br that is good for health and good for thebr environment but involves investment thatbr helps tackle climate change.