• Discuss the impact of Covid-19 on any of the domains as defined within the construct
environment (biophysical, social, economic or political)
The biophysical impacts of COVID-19 would include be the decrease in air pollution as well as
water pollution. This is due to the fact that companies and factories have closed due to the
lockdown restrictions and so there has been less pollution travelling. Nature has also been able to
restore itself because of this. Wild animals have also come to explore the environment comfortably
since the lockdown has started, since there is not as much human activity. Therefore, the COVIDD-
19 has had a positive impact biophysically.
The social impacts of COVID-19 would include families having to stay at home together – families
that have maybe never spent so much time together now have to. Living at home conditions may
not be the healthiest, abuse is present in many homes for example. Depression and anxiety are also
present and may increase due to the lockdown restricting people from leaving their home - unless
essential items/jobs are required. and not allowing for any social gatherings to take place. Parents
are also taking on a lot of pressure with their children not being able to go to school. May schools
have opened the option of teaching online, although there are so many people who do not have the
privilege of having a laptop/computer and Wi-Fi at home. Their schooling is being negatively
affected by this lockdown. Parents are also battling with having their children being home all day.
The economic impacts of COVID-19 would include the increase in unemployment and
retrenchment. Businesses and companies cannot afford to keep and pay all their employees.
Businesses are not able to produce goods and services which means no income, and some may
declare bankruptcy. South Africa has had to declare its economic “junk status” – which will
decrease exports and imports. The travel and tourism sector has also decreased and therefore
impacted South Africa economically. Fr example, Cape Town depends on tourism.
The political impacts of COVID-19 would include the difficult decision making that the presidents
and governments need to make and the pressure that is put on them to make those decisions the
best for the respective countries. Placing countries on lockdown to allow for a greater control and
a decrease of the spread of the virus has been pressuring for them to do what is best.
• How does Environmental Education assist in responding to environmental issues and
crises?
Environmental education is of vital importance because it can contribute to both the present and
next generations to come, on becoming aware of and prevent the current and future environmental
issues and how to make positive changes to this and minimise the carbon footprint. People in the
past have paid very little attention to the destruction of natural habits and ecosystems. Resources
are also being used up and the earth is unable to maintain its usual level of homeostasis, especially
with the consistent growth of the population. Environmental education will help equip people with
the tools to sustain their own lives and the earth at the same time because we need it before it needs
environment (biophysical, social, economic or political)
The biophysical impacts of COVID-19 would include be the decrease in air pollution as well as
water pollution. This is due to the fact that companies and factories have closed due to the
lockdown restrictions and so there has been less pollution travelling. Nature has also been able to
restore itself because of this. Wild animals have also come to explore the environment comfortably
since the lockdown has started, since there is not as much human activity. Therefore, the COVIDD-
19 has had a positive impact biophysically.
The social impacts of COVID-19 would include families having to stay at home together – families
that have maybe never spent so much time together now have to. Living at home conditions may
not be the healthiest, abuse is present in many homes for example. Depression and anxiety are also
present and may increase due to the lockdown restricting people from leaving their home - unless
essential items/jobs are required. and not allowing for any social gatherings to take place. Parents
are also taking on a lot of pressure with their children not being able to go to school. May schools
have opened the option of teaching online, although there are so many people who do not have the
privilege of having a laptop/computer and Wi-Fi at home. Their schooling is being negatively
affected by this lockdown. Parents are also battling with having their children being home all day.
The economic impacts of COVID-19 would include the increase in unemployment and
retrenchment. Businesses and companies cannot afford to keep and pay all their employees.
Businesses are not able to produce goods and services which means no income, and some may
declare bankruptcy. South Africa has had to declare its economic “junk status” – which will
decrease exports and imports. The travel and tourism sector has also decreased and therefore
impacted South Africa economically. Fr example, Cape Town depends on tourism.
The political impacts of COVID-19 would include the difficult decision making that the presidents
and governments need to make and the pressure that is put on them to make those decisions the
best for the respective countries. Placing countries on lockdown to allow for a greater control and
a decrease of the spread of the virus has been pressuring for them to do what is best.
• How does Environmental Education assist in responding to environmental issues and
crises?
Environmental education is of vital importance because it can contribute to both the present and
next generations to come, on becoming aware of and prevent the current and future environmental
issues and how to make positive changes to this and minimise the carbon footprint. People in the
past have paid very little attention to the destruction of natural habits and ecosystems. Resources
are also being used up and the earth is unable to maintain its usual level of homeostasis, especially
with the consistent growth of the population. Environmental education will help equip people with
the tools to sustain their own lives and the earth at the same time because we need it before it needs
