This is one of the things I enjoy seeing at this time, when we’re trying to minimize the effects of the new virus. Finch Avenue, pictures below, is one of the busiest and most traveled streets in the city of Toronto. At one point it marked the northern section of the city, and was as far as public transit reached. I knew this street very well as a youth, between here and Yonge St. I realize today was a Sunday morning, but it was still good to see a bus as one of the only vehicles operating on this thoroughfare, getting essential service workers to where they need to be.
Unfortunately it seems that this virus effect is having negative effects, and not just on social interactions or our work. Yes, the shutdown of the economy means that we are using less energy and fuels, and that will show up as a significant drop in our use of energy whenever that gets measured. When greenhouse gases are tabulated for 2020, for instance, they will probably be well under predictions. And the conservative, nationalist governments currently in power in different countries will take credit for the reduction. What we need to realize is that is not the total amount of CO2 produced (or not produced); it is the amount produced per unit of economic value created. It is not whether or not we are using carbon or fossil fuels (or any other energy or natural resource), it’s a matter of how efficiently we use it.
We may not be burning much gas these days: but we’re also not going very far. We need to develop ways of having rich and interactive lives, without stressing the environment.
Distance Walked: 4.58 km
Total: 337.71 km
The Geographer's Corner 