Our Environment Is Thriving Right Now

Written by: Louise Ingham

How Covid-19 Has Had a Positive Impact on the Environment

The environment is getting a much needed break at the moment, and our theme of this week’s Wellbeing and Positivity campaign is ‘Our Environment Is Thriving Right Now’.

While everyone around the world is working together in the fight against the coronavirus, the planet is recuperating. The Climate Crisis is a huge challenge to our future and it seems the world is finally taking notice. We have seen rallies across the world urging more to be done to protect our planet, including Extinction Rebellion and the inspirational Greta Thunberg, speaking on behalf of the next generation.

The corona virus has seen a dramatic drop in travel and activity and as a result the environment is improving. With less traffic on the roads and airplanes in the skies, air pollution levels have dropped in the UK, China, Italy and all across the world. For the first time in decades, people in Indian can see the Himalayas in the distance.

It is not just the skies – the water is cleaner too. Venice’s canals have begun to run clear for the first time in many years due to the reduction in tourists and travel on the water ways. More fish and birds have returned to the canals, enjoying the space for themselves.

Other animals are enjoying having the run of the place, too. In Phuket, there is the highest number of turtle nests in the past 20 years and a herd of goats took over an empty town in Wales, pottering around gardens and across roads. Wild boars are roaming the streets in Barcelona and an alligator sunbathed on a deserted beach in South Carolina, US.

Whilst the environment is thriving, we too seem to be thriving in the great outdoors. It is wonderful to see so many people enjoying nature and going walking and cycling (all properly socially distancing of course.) It has been the perfect time to get into gardening and watch bees, butterflies and birds enjoy the garden. Charities are continuing to do their part, too. Conservation groups around the UK are still fighting to restore habitats and improve biodiversity.

It is wonderful to see the planet thriving in our absence. It is heartening to know that with a little breathing room the planet can start to heal and flourish.

Once we are over this battle with coronavirus, it is likely travel and pollution will increase. It is important that we all remember the positive impact we had on the environment during this time. Together, we can all focus on keeping this positivity and love for the planet, even when life speeds up again.

This week, keep the environment at the forefront of your mind. We would love to hear about how you have been enjoying nature or helping the environment during lockdown. Leave a comment on our Facebook page or tweet us at @peacepartners_ and use the hashtags #PeacePositivityWellBeing #LetsFocusOnPositivityAndWellbeing