While the COVID-19 epidemic is still spreading around the world, many countries have placed their populations in containment to contain the spread. This began with China, the first country to be affected by the virus, and then gradually Italy, Spain, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom asked their citizens to stay at home and limit their movements to what was strictly necessary. In other parts of the world, some US states and cities have been quarantined, as in California and New York. Whole populations confined means slower moving countries, less industrial activity and fewer means of transportation in action. And to keep morale up in these difficult times, it is important to know that the slowdown in human activity and confinement has positive effects on nature and on major tourist sites. Here is some good news to keep smiling
Reducing nitrogen dioxide emissions
Normally, air pollution is the talk of the town, especially in a context where the preservation of the environment has become a key issue throughout the world. China is the world's biggest polluter. Throughout the country, nitrogen dioxide emissions have plummeted since the containment measures were introduced. This is particularly evident in the Wuhan region, the focus of the epidemic. As a reminder, nitrogen dioxide, which is released by industrial and automobile production, is a highly toxic gas with consequences for air quality and the health of the inhabitants. Since the containment measures, NO2 emissions have fallen by 10% to 30% compared to the same time last year and in some large Chinese cities, some have even had the pleasure of seeing the blue sky again! Similar effects could also be observed in other parts of the world, such as northern Italy
The waters of the Venice canals are clear again
It's no secret that Venice is one of the top destinations for travellers and lovers from all over the world. Whatever the season, the Venetian city always sees tourists flocking to admire its exceptional architectural heritage and then stroll along the picturesque alleyways and on the many canals on board a vaporetto or a gondola. Although the colour of the water is usually greyish, the strong decrease in river activity has given the canals a lighter appearance. Thus, from their windows, the inhabitants now have the possibility to admire the water depths and to see the fish wandering around. All this has a very logical explanation, without nautical activity, the muddy bottom is no longer stirred and the particles have settled to the bottom of the water
Animals invade the urban environment
These are rather unusual images that have been circulating just about everywhere, but yes, the city centres deserted by the populations have the effect of bringing animals that do not hesitate to become the new passers-by of the streets, probably in search of food. Thus, in Cagliari in Sardinia, dolphins do not hesitate to come and wave their fins in the port, the third largest in the country, and approach the shores. Also in Italy, the inhabitants of Rome who open their windows during the day also enjoy watching ducks having a good time in the fountains. In Asia, some places without tourists see incredible groups of animals within the cities. This is the case of the monkeys that gather in the streets of Lopburi in Thailand and the fallow deer of the Nara Natural Park that have also taken the direction of the urban centre. In Paris, who can say that he has recently heard birds singing in numbers? Well in the City of Light, as in many other large French cities, many birds come to settle down in peace on the branches of shelters and sing to brighten the days of the confined inhabitants
After the crisis, a greener world?
While authorities around the world are working hard to stem the VIDOC-19 epidemic, many voices are already pointing the finger at our lifestyles, the way our societies function and their impact on the environment. In China, for example, Beijing has announced measures to eradicate certain bad habits, notably the excessive consumption of wild animals (turtles, bears, snakes...), which are usually sold. The other effects of containment, such as the depollution of the air, the sea bed or the arrival of animal species in urban areas, are enough to motivate the authorities to think about questioning our behaviour in order to preserve our natural resources, our heritage and our health
