![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6KAXSTBTUVAUPGIMKXDQA6HRTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4f122610c54269ed0594bd906c6f096abd7bc06fca1774aa0b4f2234fd6650b4&width=400&height=225)
Europe's Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite shows a block of ice breaking off the northern top of the A-68A iceberg near South Georgia Island, December 18, 2020. The polar ice caps are melting because of climate change. European Space Agency via Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/275BBX6UFTFN6FLY3RXP2P6KEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff79c906eaa8673658cd61814782e4d99ede8c55be89edf4b27e05d2fa6ae27e&width=400&height=225)
In China, coal-fired heating is popular and cutting its use could prove crucial to improving air quality. Fang Xinwu / AP
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Cyclists cross a bridge over almost empty roads near Swindon, western England, on April 11, 2020, during lockdown. Air quality improved in many areas because of reduced pollution. Justin Tallis / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DGEJUOSV7EYT7M62DAHNFJONKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=d0461a3a2fb38d6869e58a0ef1e2ddfa214e05a7489e6c4fe49fdf91b93e1207&width=400&height=225)
An empty Regent Street in London on December 21, 2020. More than 16 million Britons are now required to stay at home as a lockdown came into force Sunday in London. Lockdowns can also reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. Jason Alden / Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I4HYD4EXSMKAIQIDAFLA7RKWAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=a6cc88ebe0397e3a79c523d82e070aeac1306aac82ec8748adf50d45f66390de&width=400&height=225)
Floodwaters in Pensacola, Florida as Hurricane Sally made landfall near Gulf Shores, Alabama earlier this year. Extreme weather events have become more common as the world warms. Gerald Herbert / AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6B4IMUTPFGDKHNAYMCU3WIBATY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d0caab599d710aed41bee1052b95df71435c1743db0cf0718a9c43411fb930a9&width=400&height=225)
A glacier at the Stubaier glacier ski resort near Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Slumps in emissions from lockdowns are unlikely to be enough to halt global warming. Lisi Niesner / Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OZ4OQEVVP3TOPEE7BP5NEU5RJA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ebab899324aa8e22e0ab31b08590474d51e76b233a5e2edbe5301d2afb7d1797&width=400&height=225)
Five years after a historic climate deal in Paris, world leaders will have a lot to do fight global warming. Marco Ugarte / AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DLM7OGAK6OWUDKRU4VILMCIEEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1fcf4811a69bd31eb63e4b5088973ba972969720bc070092e4f5779a1cc2afe9&width=400&height=225)
Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia. Climate change and dams upstream on the Mekong have caused water levels are falling and fish stocks are dwindling. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6KAXSTBTUVAUPGIMKXDQA6HRTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4f122610c54269ed0594bd906c6f096abd7bc06fca1774aa0b4f2234fd6650b4&width=400&height=225)
Europe's Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite shows a block of ice breaking off the northern top of the A-68A iceberg near South Georgia Island, December 18, 2020. The polar ice caps are melting because of climate change. European Space Agency via Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/275BBX6UFTFN6FLY3RXP2P6KEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff79c906eaa8673658cd61814782e4d99ede8c55be89edf4b27e05d2fa6ae27e&width=400&height=225)
In China, coal-fired heating is popular and cutting its use could prove crucial to improving air quality. Fang Xinwu / AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EXO6IOUU3E3Q3OR667O5DXULLQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=12e21ab159254cb9770f73d1942f073dc92188f5b4598ec755e12a447bc80fd5&width=400&height=225)
Cyclists cross a bridge over almost empty roads near Swindon, western England, on April 11, 2020, during lockdown. Air quality improved in many areas because of reduced pollution. Justin Tallis / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DGEJUOSV7EYT7M62DAHNFJONKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=d0461a3a2fb38d6869e58a0ef1e2ddfa214e05a7489e6c4fe49fdf91b93e1207&width=400&height=225)
An empty Regent Street in London on December 21, 2020. More than 16 million Britons are now required to stay at home as a lockdown came into force Sunday in London. Lockdowns can also reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. Jason Alden / Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I4HYD4EXSMKAIQIDAFLA7RKWAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=a6cc88ebe0397e3a79c523d82e070aeac1306aac82ec8748adf50d45f66390de&width=400&height=225)
Floodwaters in Pensacola, Florida as Hurricane Sally made landfall near Gulf Shores, Alabama earlier this year. Extreme weather events have become more common as the world warms. Gerald Herbert / AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6B4IMUTPFGDKHNAYMCU3WIBATY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d0caab599d710aed41bee1052b95df71435c1743db0cf0718a9c43411fb930a9&width=400&height=225)
A glacier at the Stubaier glacier ski resort near Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Slumps in emissions from lockdowns are unlikely to be enough to halt global warming. Lisi Niesner / Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OZ4OQEVVP3TOPEE7BP5NEU5RJA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ebab899324aa8e22e0ab31b08590474d51e76b233a5e2edbe5301d2afb7d1797&width=400&height=225)
Five years after a historic climate deal in Paris, world leaders will have a lot to do fight global warming. Marco Ugarte / AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DLM7OGAK6OWUDKRU4VILMCIEEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1fcf4811a69bd31eb63e4b5088973ba972969720bc070092e4f5779a1cc2afe9&width=400&height=225)
Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia. Climate change and dams upstream on the Mekong have caused water levels are falling and fish stocks are dwindling. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6KAXSTBTUVAUPGIMKXDQA6HRTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4f122610c54269ed0594bd906c6f096abd7bc06fca1774aa0b4f2234fd6650b4&width=400&height=225)
Europe's Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite shows a block of ice breaking off the northern top of the A-68A iceberg near South Georgia Island, December 18, 2020. The polar ice caps are melting because of climate change. European Space Agency via Reuters
Climate change in 2021: lockdowns showed us what could be achieved in weeks
Within one fortnight, air quality in Chinese cities improved by about 25 per cent. But where do we go from here?
Robert Matthews
03 January, 2021
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