BlogsOpinion

LOCKDOWN BLOG: When the world bites back – Day 14

The planet is taking a huge sigh of relief and enjoying this timeout from us humans.

For years environmentalists have pondered how they would reverse pollution levels in the world, and the upside to lockdown is that we have just done that!

ALSO READ: LOCKDOWN BLOG: There are two sides to every coin – Day 13

It may only be for a short time, but the beauty of lockdown is that it has brought about fewer cars on the roads, less factories hemorrhaging black smoke and construction sites to billow out clouds of dust. And hopefully, less litter in our oceans and rivers!

Overall, just fewer humans out and about destroying the planet.

Cities around the world are experiencing the flipside of lockdown – pollution levels in China’s Hubei province, industrial northern Italy, and in parts of India have dropped to remarkably low levels.

In some places people are enjoying life under a blue sky.

Now some residents in northern India say they can see the snow-capped Himalayas 200 kilometres away for the first time in 30 years and some news sites are reporting that thousands of turtles have returned to a beach in that country.

Although this is an annual event authorities don’t have to work so hard to protect the hatchlings from annoying humans.

Around the world there has been incredible footage and sightings of animals enjoying their new-found freedom on empty streets, not chased and harassed by humans.

As a greenie myself, I’m loving this news.

I’m not entirely surprised by all of this, as for centuries we have abused our planet, and it has now had enough.

I hope when we all come out of this together, we don’t forget the lessons 2020 is teaching us, and to drastically change the way we treat Mother Nature.

I think this is earth sending out a warning – banning us to our rooms to think about our selfish behaviour.

Perhaps next time we won’t be so lucky!

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram

 

At Caxton, every story is written by humans. We use AI only to perform quality checks - never to generate the news. Happy reading!

Support local journalism

Add The Citizen as a preferred source to see more from South Coast Herald in Google News and Top Stories.

shonaaylward

Shona Aylward is a vastly experienced journalist working as a senior reporter. Aside from her extensive community involvement and story writing, she is also involved in creative page layout, and the various media platforms. Shona began her career with Caxton at the Southlands Sun. Previous to this she worked in the marketing industry for surf magazines. Shona is a renown 'greenie' and champions environmental causes. She is also Mom to a number of dogs and cats, and the occasional uninvited snake. When she can find some spare time, it's usually to the beach that she heads.
Back to top button