While the global population continues to battle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Planet Earth has been carrying on as usual... in fact, she has been healing. The worldwide slowdown in human activity has had a number of positive effects on the environment, including decreased air pollution due to less carbon-guzzling planes in the sky and less fuel-burning cars on the road.
We've rounded-up some positive environmental stories that show how the planet is reacting positively to the global lockdown...
1. Air pollution levels have plummeted
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With industrial activity slowing down because of lockdown restrictions, new satellite imagery from the European Space Agency has found that air pollution levels in China and Italy are markedly lower than this time last year. Satellites orbiting Earth found lowered air pollution over Italy and lowered nitrogen-dioxide emissions over China.
Air pollution levels have also dropped in the UK. In fact, some cities have seen nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels fall by up to 60% on the same period last year, the BBC has found.
Jenny Bates, a Friends of the Earth clean air campaigner, told the BBC: "Seeing this drop in air pollution shows that less traffic can quickly lead to cleaner air. Once this dreadful situation is over, we don't want to rush to go back to where we were or worse, and we can't have an accelerated return to business as usual. We can have a better, cleaner future for ourselves and the planet."
Elsewhere, over in India, the skies in some of the most polluted cities turned beautifully blue as locals were put on lockdown. Lockdown has improved the air quality index to satisfactory levels in nearly 90% of the 103 cities, according to Bloomberg.
2. People have been taking less flights
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International air travel is one of the fastest-growing source of climate emissions worldwide. As travel restrictions have been put in place globally, there has been a huge drop in the number of commercial flights, with many airlines grounding most of their fleet.
The pandemic really has cleaned the skies, with one benefit being less air pollution levels. Previous studies found that airplane travel adds up to about 5% of global warming, so while the drop in flights might only be temporary for now, it certainly is giving our planet the chance to breathe.
3. Venice's canals have cleared up
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Venice's famous canals are the clearest they have been in 60 years, thanks to pollution levels and tourist numbers in the Italian city rapidly dropping. With less boats on the canal, the once-murky, grey waters are now crystal clear because the sediment is still. This has welcomed swans, fish and seabirds back to the canals.
A spokesperson for the Venice mayoral office told CNN: "The water now looks clearer because there is less traffic on the canals, allowing the sediment to stay at the bottom. It's because there is less boat traffic that usually brings sediment to the top of the water's surface."
One of the world's biggest tourist destinations, the streets of Venice are usually teeming with visitors from around the world. But, since lockdown has been put in place, nature has had the time to breathe again.
A local from the area, Gloria Beggiato, told The Guardian: "The water is blue and clear. It is calm like a pond, because there are no more waves caused by motorised boats transporting day-tripper tourists. And of course, the giant cruise ships have disappeared."
4. Animals have reclaimed land
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Over in Llandudno, Wales, a herd of goats have been making the most of the deserted streets by flocking to its empty town centre. With humans out of the way, the goats were able to freely explore the area (and enjoy grazing on trees) in peace.
Town councillor Carol Marubbi told the BBC the "curious" animals are "wondering what's going on like everybody else". Take a look at what the goats got up to below...
5. Charities are continuing to fight for the planet
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Many conservation groups around the UK are continuing to do all they can to restore habitats, improve biodiversity and ramp up campaigns, all while working remotely in lockdown.
In some recent good news, chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £750m package to keep struggling charities afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. This will give hope to charities who would otherwise drain their cash reserves if they don't receive the funding required.
Organisations such as The Wildlife Trusts and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) rely heavily on income streams from visitor centres and cafes, but after these were forced to close, funds have been drying up.
Craig Bennett, CEO of the Wildlife Trusts told iNews: "It's very different from a business that you can close and furlough staff and pop up again straight after. There's a lot of work that is done by environmental organisations, particularly nature organisations, that you just can't stop."
6. People are reconnecting with nature
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One of the good things to have come out of social distancing is that we are letting the outdoors recharge us. As nature heals, so do we. We've been forced to pause, slow down, reflect and appreciate the little things our gardens and local walking paths have to offer – from morning birdsongs to the riot of pastel colours pouring from our seasonal blossom trees.
There's something beautiful about reconnecting with the great outdoors, whether that's through gardening, outdoor walks, animal live streams or by simply sharing images of beautiful birds with others. Wherever you are, make time to reconnect with nature. It will certainly do you good.
7. Cows have been reintroduced at the Giant's Causeway
The National Trust
The National Trust's sites might be closed across the UK, but the world-famous Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland has welcomed a group of grazing cows to help revive wildlife — and the animals are now able to settle into their new surroundings in peace.
Irish Dexter cattle — the smallest of cattle breeds — have been welcomed to an inlet called The Bay of Cows (it sits just below the Giant's Causeway visitors' centre). Thanks to their small size, hardiness and agility, they will be able to graze on the bay's rocky slopes with ease.
"We've been hoping to get animals back onto some of the ungrazed areas around the Giant's Causeway for years, so it's fantastic to see it finally happen," Cliff Henry, Area Ranger for the National Trust, said.
"Particularly at this time, when our sites are closed to the public, it's great to know the cattle are there, working away for conservation of the bay."
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