'Side Effects' Of Coronavirus: Pollution Is Down And Nature Can Finally Breathe

It is true that coronavirus has slowed down the world economy, put entire countries under lockdown and brought to a halt the daily lives of people. But the main beneficiary of this slowdown is, hands down, the environment.

Given the non-existent traffic on roads, a slowdown in the release of waste into the air and ocean by large scale industries, and no cluttering on the beaches nature has finally been able to catch its breath.

Juhu Beach/Twitter

The obvious downsides aside, today we'll focus on seemingly positive developments post the outbreak.

Thanks to coronavirus:

• Pollution Has Reduced In China

There has been a tremendous decline in activity in China¡¯s factories as manufacturers stopped work in a bid to contain coronavirus. A massive decrease in pollution over China may have also brought with it a reported economic slowdown but for once, one of the world's most polluted countries could breathe.

NASA

NASA images of Earth show a major decrease in pollution levels over northern China in the last month. Usually in February, NO2 levels increase after Chinese New Year celebrations, as factories reopen and more vehicles take to the roads following the annual holiday.

• It Will Save Lives Of Those Dying Of Pollution

Researchers feel that the coronavirus lockdown can save more lives who are affected by pollution than those threatened by contracting COVID-19.

"Strangely enough, I think the death toll of the coronavirus at the end of the day might be positive if you consider the deaths from atmospheric pollution," Forbes quoted Francois Gemenne, director of the Hugo Observatory as saying.

According to WHO (World Health Organisation) around seven million people across the world lose their lives due to pollution.

PIxabay

He further added, ¡°More than likely the number of lives that would be spared because of these confinement measures would be higher than the number of lives that would be lost because of the pandemic.¡±

• Waters In The Canals Of Venice Have Become Clearer

People are looking at the ¡®side effects¡¯ of quarantine and keeping that in mind some started a Facebook page ¡®clean Venice¡¯ uploading the pictures of the canals in the beautiful city which seem clearer because of the non existence of tourist activity.

Water in the city's canals has become much clearer owing to the pause in running of boats that are known as 'taxis' there.

• People Are Saving Commute Time

All the people sitting and working at home were probably once told by their bosses that their job cannot be done by working from home. But here we are. Many of us spend a major part of our day commuting and what is supposed to be an 8-hour job becomes a 12-hour gig. Now that we are home, we are saving four hours of our day that we can invest in something else, even much-needed sleep.

Reuters

• Pollution Reduced In Italy

Italy has been on lockdown and now, just like in China, there has been reported decrease in pollution there too. The levels of nitrogen dioxide seem to have decreased. The photos were uploaded on Twitter by Santiago Gass¨° - a researcher at the University of Washington and NASA.

In one month, there is a clear decrease of NO2 levels (a pollution marker) in northern #Italy according to the satellite sensor @tropomi @avoiland @elisa_ox @blefer @rjswap pic.twitter.com/FnSz4AtT8q

¡ª Santiago Gass¨® (@SanGasso) March 11, 2020

Following his findings, he penned on his social media account: 'In one month, there is a clear decrease of NO2 levels (a pollution marker) in northern #Italy according to the satellite sensor.'

• People Are Finally Spending More Time With Family

One thing that millennials focus on the least is family. Now that most of us are home, we can finally bond with them or at least give them more time than we used to. This time of coronavirus lockdown can be used to work on personal relationships, rebuilding them.

Getty Images

• Air Quality Improves In National Capital

As cinemas, schools, restaurants and other public places have been shut down till March 31 because of coronavirus and many people are working from home, traffic has reduced on the ever packed Delhi roads resulting to lower pollution and better air quality in the national capital.

Twitter

Delhi-NCR saw some 'moderate' air quality with the AQI at 129. It is expected to improve, according to reports, and the improvement can be partially credited to the low traffic on roads.

• Juhu Beach Is Vacant

One of the most popular and crowded spots in Mumbai, Juhu Beach like many other places has been shut down because of COVID-19 scare. The result? One can finally see what the beautiful place looks like without thousands cluttering the space and littering the beach.

#PreventCoronaVirus
The always crowded Juhu beach out of bound for visitors.
Avoid crowded places.
Avoid unnecessary travel.#SocialDistancingWorks#CoronavirusOutbreakpic.twitter.com/wRRnPAkrGo

¡ª ????? Matters??? (@mumbaimatterz) March 17, 2020

• Animals Get To See... Animals

Since Chicago like many other cities is on self-imposed quarantine, aquariums do not have visitors. Well, at least not human visitors. With Homo Sapiens out of the way, the residents got to tour the place and catch up with their neighbors.

The adventure continues! ??
This morning, Edward and Annie explored Shedd¡¯s rotunda. They are a bonded pair of rockhopper penguins, which means they are together for nesting season. Springtime is nesting season for penguins at Shedd, and this year is no different! (1/3) ? pic.twitter.com/VdxN3oQAfe

¡ª Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 16, 2020

These penguins got a grand tour of their own home at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium because no one else was around. The Shedd's rockhopper penguins went on a field trip through the aquarium, encountering some their fellow residents along the way.

Life is difficult in times of a pandemic, as all of us are realizing it, but it is only these silver linings that will help keep us sane.