Penguins waddling through deserted streets in Simon’s Town, Cape Town. Coyotes roaming San Francisco in the US. Lions lounging on empty roads in the Kruger National Park. Mountain goats frolicking through a near-abandoned town in Wales in the UK. As humans have retreated indoors to stave off the spread of coronavirus, it seems nature has come out to play, revelling in spaces where once there was an influx of people.
But creatures great and small aren’t the only ones benefiting from a new world order. Astonishing before-and-after pictures around the globe show the extent to which the absence of air pollution has transformed cities once clogged by smog into crisp, clean vistas.
Dozens of countries have seen a drop of up to 40% in carbon dioxide emissions, which has translated into a huge improvement in air quality.
Paul Monks, a professor of air pollution at the University of Leicester in the UK, told The Guardian there’ll be “important lessons to learn”.
“We are now, inadvertently, conducting the largest-scale experiment ever seen,” he said. “Are we looking at what we might see in the future if we can move to a low-carbon economy?
“Not to denigrate the loss of life, but this might give us some hope from something terrible – to see what can be achieved.”
The drop in air pollution can even be seen from space. Nasa’s satellites recently captured a noticeable drop in pollution over China’s biggest cities, where industry was halted and vehicle traffic practically disappeared.
Bu hikaye Drum English dergisinin 21 May 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Drum English dergisinin 21 May 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Homegrown Heroes
Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa
The Big Clean Up
Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets
I'm Back & Better!
Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon
Not An Easy Ride
Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent
‘They Lived For Each Other'
This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too
Stranger Than Fiction
For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold
I Was Raped By A Pastor
His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out
My Fight With Life And Death
More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience
I AM ENOUGH
Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest