This study examines the impact of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on Energy Consumption in relation to Human and Environmental Responses in Ontario Canada. Supply and demand of Electricity which is a secondary form of energy was extensively studied and reviewed. This impact was compared between the active COVID-19 period in the study area and similar periods of previous years. The data sets studied, reviewed and analyzed were extracted from the database of the World Bank World Development Indicator and the Independent electricity System Operator (IESO) of Ontario Canada. From the study and analyses, it was evident that: COVID-19 has disrupted many businesses, resulting in reduced provincial demand/Consumption and creating significant uncertainty in supply and demand forecasts. Demand reductions in all hours ranging from 800 -3,000 MW, which is 6 -18% of typical demand for the similar periods/time of the year. Industrial and Commercial consumption were drastically reduced due to the closure of majority of the factories and industries as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This also led to the reduction in the Green House Gas and Co2 emissions in the studied period of active COVID-19, compared to similar periods of previous years. As expected, Residential and household demand experienced some increase because of the stay at home rule that was employed to manage social distancing concept for the COVID-19 period. An all-inclusive stakeholders dialogue is especially important during periods of uncertainty to ensure stable maintenance and reliable operation of the grid.
The effect and harm done to the marine environment by plastic pollution can never be overemphasized. This research reviews and examined various policies, laws, and regulations that have been put in place to mitigate and control the devastating effects of plastic waste pollution, particular reference was made to the polar region and likely environ. Scientific researches, Journal papers, and various publications on plastic waste pollution in the polar region, also known or interchangeably referred to as the Arctic or Antarctica are also reviewed. Findings show that the threat of plastic waste pollution in the Polar region if not quickly attended to could result in devastating climate and environmental problems. Efforts from intergovernmental and international organizations on the subject matter were also investigated, e.g. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Arctic Council Organization (ACO), Ocean Conservancy (OC), the Arctic Initiative (AI) and the Polar Institute (PI). Various other Policies, Interventions, and Conventions were also studied and recommendations made in accordance with the conclusions reached. Recommendations made from this review include: promoting awareness and understanding of the plastic pollution issue through targeted communication and education efforts to increase community engagement and solutions co-creation; convene industry to educate about economic and environmental threats from plastic pollution and to generate reasonable and realistic practices for plastic pollution mitigation; work with industry to develop and promote guidelines that reduce plastic waste and address appropriate disposal, recycling and reuse of plastic materials.
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