COVID-19 Shutdowns and Air Quality Research: Climate Change Policy Insights

Posted on | by Linus

Overview

Sometimes nature presents itself as a laboratory, where scientists can study results that are far more broad-based than any test they could set up in a controlled environment. COVID-19 “shutdowns” offered such an opportunity, when large geographic areas reduced activity to stop the spread of COVID-19. Scientists are studying the impacts on air quality, looking for lessons that could have broader significance for policies to slow climate change.

Instructions

Write a 1–2 page paper using the following instructions:

  1. Select one of the following articles to read:
  2. Summarize the conclusions in the article in your own words. Support the summary with references to the article.
  3. Analyze whether or not the article provides insights into possible solutions to climate change. Support the insights with evidence from the article or other resources.

This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The library is your home for SWS assistance, including citations and formatting. Please refer to the Library site for all support. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Alright — this is a short paper (1–2 pages), but it requires analysis, not just summary. Let’s walk through this step-by-step so you can write it clearly, concisely, and in proper SWS format.

STEP 1: Choose ONE Article

Pick the article that feels most manageable to you.

If you want:

  • A U.S.-focused study → Choose Yasin Elshorbany (2021)

  • A city case study → Choose Maya Kumari (2021)

  • A broader ecosystem view → Choose Nidhi Verma (2021)

  • A public health/epidemiology focus → Choose Paul Villeneuve (2020)

Important: Only summarize one article.

STEP 2: Structure Your Paper Properly (SWS Format)

Your paper should have:

  • Title page (if required by your professor)

  • 1–2 full pages of content

  • In-text citations

  • Reference page in SWS format

STEP 3: Organize Your Paper into 4 Clear Sections

Even if you don’t label them with headings, your paper should follow this structure:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Briefly explain:

  • What happened during COVID-19 shutdowns

  • Why this created a natural experiment

  • The article you selected

Example structure:

The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented global shutdown that significantly reduced transportation, industrial production, and human activity. These changes provided researchers with a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between human activity and air quality. In the article by [Author] (Year), the researcher analyzes…

Keep this short — about 5–6 sentences.

Paragraph 2–3: Summary of the Article’s Conclusions

This is where students often lose points.

You are not summarizing the entire article — only the key conclusions.

Ask yourself:

  • What did the researchers find?

  • What pollutants changed?

  • What methods were used?

  • What were the main results?

Use phrases like:

  • “The study concluded that…”

  • “The findings suggest…”

  • “The data revealed…”

Example format:

Elshorbany (2021) found that nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels significantly decreased during lockdown periods due to reduced vehicle traffic and industrial emissions. Satellite data indicated measurable improvements in air quality across multiple regions of the United States.

Be sure to:

  • Cite properly (Author, Year)

  • Write in your own words

  • Avoid long quotes

STEP 4: Analysis — Climate Change Insights

This is the critical thinking section.

Ask:

  • Does this temporary improvement show what could happen with policy changes?

  • Does it suggest transportation reform is important?

  • Does it show industrial emissions are a major factor?

  • Are the improvements sustainable?

You can argue:
✔ Yes, the article provides insights
OR
✔ No, the changes were temporary and not realistic long-term

Either position is fine — just support it.

Example analytical structure:

Although the reductions in emissions were temporary, the findings demonstrate how significantly transportation contributes to air pollution. This suggests that long-term investments in public transportation, remote work policies, and renewable energy could contribute to climate change mitigation.

This is where you move beyond summary.

STEP 5: Bring in One Additional Supporting Source (Optional but Strong)

To strengthen your analysis, you can briefly reference:

Example:

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2021), transportation is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions globally. The temporary improvements observed during COVID-19 lockdowns reinforce the IPCC’s findings regarding the impact of reduced fossil fuel use.

Keep outside sources brief — this is not a research paper, just support.

STEP 6: Write a Strong Conclusion Paragraph

Do NOT repeat the summary.

Instead:

  • Restate the main takeaway

  • Connect to long-term climate policy

Example:

Overall, the COVID-19 shutdowns revealed the direct relationship between human activity and air pollution levels. While lockdowns are not a sustainable solution, the research provides valuable insight into how strategic environmental policies could reduce emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Short, clear, confident.

STEP 7: Strayer Writing Standards (SWS) Reminders

Make sure you:

✔ Use in-text citations: (Author, Year)
✔ Include full reference entry
✔ Double-space
✔ Use 12-point font
✔ Avoid first person unless instructed otherwise
✔ Do not overuse direct quotes

For SWS help:
Strayer Library Writing Resources:
https://library.strayer.edu/writing

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Summarizing too much detail
❌ Forgetting citations
❌ Writing only summary without analysis
❌ Going over 2 pages
❌ Not connecting to climate change policy

Quick Writing Formula

If you feel stuck, use this simple outline:

  1. Introduction (5–6 sentences)

  2. Article Findings (1–2 paragraphs)

  3. Climate Change Analysis (1 paragraph)

  4. Conclusion (1 short paragraph)

That’s it.

 

 

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