Let's not ignore this silver lining!!

In the midst of all the hardship and grief that has resulted from coronavirus, there is at least one silver lining  ...  and that is the positive effect on our environment.  This certainly isn't the way any of us wanted to see significant climate change but as the world recognised the

50th anniversary   of Earth Day

on

April 22nd, 2020,

coronavirus has led to reduced pollution, re-emerging wildlife and plunging oil prices.

The world has seen dramatic improvement in air quality in many of the world's major cities.  When I lived in Xi'an, China some days we would judge the pollution by whether or not we could see the telecoms tower a mere kilometre away, and how bad the taste of the pollution was in your mouth. A report from Stanford University calculates that the improvements in air quality in China has the potential to save the lives of 4,000 children under 5 years old and 73,000 adults over 70.
https://www.politico.eu/

A study by specialist outlet Carbon Brief also found that in China, carbon dioxide emissions have fallen by approximately 25%
https://www.politico.eu/

Many of us will also have seen a re-emergence in wildlife roaming our streets in the midst of the absence of human beings observing lockdown rules.  Here are just a few ...

A coyote wanders the streets
of San Francisco

A deer explores the shops
in a Japanese town

  

More deer in an east London
housing estate

A gaggle of geese go for a stroll
in Adana, Turkey

Hungry monkeys take over the streets
in Lopburi, Thailand  (having had to fend
off angry monkeys in Sri Lanka I seriously
wouldn't want to meet this crowd)

When were the waters of Venice
canals last seen this clearly!!

A sealion checks out why the shops are
shut in Buenas Aires, Argentina

Highland goats go shopping in Llandudno, North Wales

Lucy Goosey has taken up residence in a flower bed
right outside York train station, and is tenderly
caring for her four soon-to-be goslings