Review of the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on the environment economy and human wellbeing

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more than 7.08 million deaths globally as of February 2025, presenting a significant healthcare and scientific challenge in the twenty-first century. Despite its devastating impacts, the pandemic has created significant innovations and unexpected opportunities across economic, health, and environmental sectors. This review paper examines COVID-19’s multifaceted effects on environmental conditions, economic systems, and quality of life. It analyzes their assessment methods, drawing from research manuscripts, reports, and reviews published during and after lockdown periods implemented across various regions. The review used a key of 120 published manuscripts, primarily sourced from Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus. The crisis accelerated the adoption of diverse technologies, including geographic information systems, remote sensing capabilities, modeling and simulation techniques, particularly for impact assessment protocols and environmental monitoring. The temporary environmental and ecological improvements observed during lockdowns highlight the potential value of nature-based solutions. The economic challenges and decreased quality of life experienced during this period have prompted researchers to seek more sustainable approaches for managing future pandemics. It is vital to view the COVID-19 pandemic as a chance to transform and strengthen socio-economic structures, enhancing environmental quality and resilience to better withstand future pandemics.