The World’s #GlowUp Thanks To Covid-19

There’s no denying that lockdown has been a difficult time for people globally, being forced to live with non-essentials, stay inside and lead a very different day-to-day life. Despite this, there’s undoubtedly been an environmental silver lining to Covid-19.

We know air and water quality have dramatically improved, emissions have dropped and demand for coal and oil is lower than it’s been in a long time. Even better, our animal kingdoms are coming out to play and breed and mountain scapes are being seen for the first time in decades. Check out our below top 5  favourite eco-moments from around the globe thanks to Covid-19:

 

 Number 1: Venice Canals Are Crystal Clear

Venice Canals Now With Clear Water 

With millions of tourists a year and hundreds of boats on the beautiful Venice canals daily, you can only imagine the impact. However, the lockdown eco-positivity is radiating through with sediment on the bottom of the canals being able to finally settle. Locals can now see small schools of fish, crabs and eccentric plant life communities.

 

Number 2: Wild Goats Are Reclaiming Northern Wales

Goats in Trinity Square
(Photo: Andrew Stuart)

Wild Goats are taking over the streets of Wales one corner at a time. Apparently, the confident goats meet at Trinity Square in Llandudno, Northern Wales before they’re off wandering around the town to graze on nearby hedges. A spokeswoman from the local police department had also mentioned it wasn’t unusual for goats to become a little more curious after the cold winter months and usually make their way back after their stomachs are satisfied. 

 Wild Goat In A Hedge
(Photo: Andrew Stuart)

Wild Goats Eating Hedges
(Photo: Andrew Stuart)

Other wildlife is also flourishing, whilst towns and city streets are deserted. A wild boar and her babies are seen in the streets of Bermago, Italy: https://twitter.com/robertwoodshaw/status/1244588015109931009

 

Number 3: The Himalayas Are Seen From India for the First Time in Decades

The Himalayan mountain range that separates the Tibetan plateau and Indian content and known for their high peaks (Mount Everest) and can now been seen from Punjab in India. Due to the countries current lock down and consequent reduction in air pollution locals in the city of Jalandhar and surrounding areas have posted views from their home exclaiming they hadn’t seen the peaks in nearly 30 years. The mountain range is now visible from more than 100 miles away – amazing!

 Himalayan Mountain Range Now Visible

 

Number 4: A Rare Glimpse of a Low Carbon Future

 With the pandemic causing most industrial activities to close, along with cancelled flights – greenhouse emissions and air pollution around the world are being slashed – hoorah! This gives the globe a much-needed taste of the air we could be breathing in if we continue to aim for a low-carbon future.

The World Health Organisation estimates that circa 3m people die each year from ailments of air pollution and people living in urban areas can be exposed to exceeding safe limits. However due to Covid-19, measurements from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-5P satellite illustrate that between late January and early February this year nitrogen dioxide over countries in Europe and Asia were lower than the same period in the previous year by up to 40%! Check out the below graph of China’s comparison:

China Air Pollution Reduced Due To Covid-19
(Image: The Conversation)

 

 Number 5:  Sustainable Face Masks Are Booming

 Sustainable Face Masks
(Image: PADI)

There’s no denying, we’ve all had a look at some stylish options of face masks and there’s companies popping up everywhere with different options. Luckily, there’s also been a boom in sustainable face masks, often made from discarded plastic.

TBM, a Japanese company are making masks that are made from economically viable and environmentally friendly material that substitutes paper and plastic.  

On the other hand, PADI in partnership with RASH’R are producing reusable mask’s that are made from plastic water bottles from the oceans. They even come with five replacement filters and PADI are not taking a profit - what legends!

 

 

 

 

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