Three and a half billion people are confined in some way around the planet. That's almost half of the world's population. The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically changed our daily lives. With travel halted and industries slowed or stopped, what does that mean for the environment? What effect could it have on efforts to fight climate change? Down to Earth's team takes a look at carbon emissions, pollution, recycling and the impact on agriculture in this special episode in the midst of the coronavirus pandem

Here is why you should pick up a copy of The Guardian on Sunday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on the newsstands on Sunday.

India's pollution authority has ordered schools in the capital to shut, calling a health emergency due to smog. Pollution particles in the air have hit nine times the recommended WHO level, US Embassy figures show.

Ocean pollution, sustainable living and green mathematics aren't typical school subjects. But Italy's education minister has big plans to make a radically green syllabus.

New Delhi: prayers and pollution

General, Private Health practitioners decry the effect of oil and gas pollution.

Activists in Brest are protesting a new lead-acid battery factory out of pollution and health fears. They've demanded answers from President Lukashenko, who's involved in other ways. Juri Rescheto reports from Belarus.

Environmental damage and pollution cause a quarter of all deaths, a UN report said. The Global Environment Outlook also warned of serious economic consequences for developing countries if no action is taken by 2050.

'Pollution knows no borders'.

Thousands of freshwater carp in fish farms in central Iraq have perished, putting pressure on agricultural workers already struggling because of a lack of water and pollution. The government has ruled out deliberate poisoning but the cause is still unknown.

Municipalities around the world are increasingly cracking down on plastic pollution, especially single-use straws.

China is seeing signs its winning its war against smog in the Beijing region. A new Greenpeace East Asia Report said pollution levels plunged 33% on year in the fourth quarter across Beijing and surrounding cities.