Car pollution drops by 50%
Pollution from cars has halved since Covid-19 restrictions came into force.
That's one of the findings of research from UCC's MaREI centre for Energy, Climate and the Marine in Ringaskiddy who say Irish people are spending five hours less a week in their cars since the pandemic hit.
Carbon dioxide emissions from cars are nearly twice that of planes, with Irish parents driving seven million kilometres a week on the school run alone.
Nine out of ten flights have also been cancelled since restrictions began, with researchers pointing out that if that situation was to partially continue for another 12 weeks, it would be the equivalent of shutting down the coal fired Moneypoint power station for six months.
Speaking to RedFM News, Dr James Glynn from MaREI says the research should make peope think about how they use energy.
"The lockdown is obviously not sustainable, and it's quite painful in practical terms and in emotional terms for many people.
"There are large sectors of the workforce who are learning they can work remotely quite well, quite happily.
"They get five hours a week back to themselves which they can spend with their families, from not sitting in the car.
"I definitely think we can adopt certain measures from Covid-19 that can reduce transport emissions certainly."
More from Coronavirus
-
INMO: Covid-19 Infection Rates 'Out Of Control' In Hospitals
Almost 2,000 frontline healthcare staff have caught the virus in their workplace over a 2 week period
-
Taoiseach: AstraZeneca Announcement A "Worrying Setback"
The company announced it's cutting back on its vaccine deliveries
-
13 Residents At A Dublin Nursing Home Have Died During A Large Covid-19 Outbreak
There was an outbreak at Lusk Community Nursing Unit
-
1,846 People In Hospital With Covid-19
It's a slight reduction on the previous 24 hours
-
Ireland's Delivery Of The AstraZeneca Vaccine Could Be Smaller And Later Than Expected
It's after the company told the European Commission supplies will be 60% less than scheduled
-
Health Experts Have Expressed Concern Over The UK's New Strain Of Coronavirus
Experts believe it may cause more deaths
-
Level 5 Lockdown Restrictions Will Be Extended Until At Least The End Of February
The Government will then review them every 4 weeks
-
52 Further Deaths Linked To Covid-19 Have Been Confirmed This Evening
2,371 new cases have also been reported
-
New Restrictions On International Travel Are Likely To Be Announced Next Week
Cabinet is to meet on Tuesday
-
Almost 1,000 People Have Been Fined For Non-Essential Travel In The Past 10 Days
Gardai are reminding the public to obey public health guidelines
-
Construction Industry Federation hopeful sites will be allowed to reopen from February even if level 5 restrictions are extended next week
The majority of building sites have been closes since January 8th
-
Cork Penny Dinners say they're helping more small business owners than ever before
The charity say many businesses won't reopen their doors again as the effects of COVID19 have been detrimental to the operations