The coronavirus is a scourge for humanity, but for nature it is an unlikely rebirth.
In this health crisis, we must see some positive aspects. The different containment measures, in China, Italy, Spain, or even in France, allow nature to breathe, to regain its rights… These countries are seeing their greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution fall. According to an estimate published by Carbon Brief, China’s emissions fell by at least a quarter between February 3 and March 1 compared to 2019, due to the drop in production. And according to NASA, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions have decreased by 10% to 30% compared to the same period in 2019, near Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic, then in d other regions of the country.
Eternal Venice, in total containment since March 8, finds crystal clear water in its canals: you can even see the fish and swans come back gradually in the City of the Doges.
Cruise ships, vaporettos (a kind of maritime bus) and gondolas no longer stir up the sediments accumulated at the bottom of the canals and thus no longer discharge pollutants into the waters of the lagoon.
The confinement thus "brought back the waters of the lagoons of ancient times, those of the post-war period, when it was still possible to swim in the canals," recalls the local newspaper La Nuova di Venezia e Mestre.
On the side of Sardinia, dolphins swim peacefully in the port of Cagliari, where many ferries usually travel.
Towards Chicago, at the Shedd Aquarium, closed to visitors for the moment, employees decided to let the penguins roam the aisles as they see fit…
Beautiful images to be nuanced
According to the association 30 million friends, populations of wild animals are severely affected in the tourist regions which are deserted, following the Covid-19. While in Asia Sika macaques and deer face a food shortage, the preservation of endangered species in Africa is denied an important source of funding.
In Lopburi, in central Thailand, several hundred macaques (normally fed by tourists and locals) were filmed fighting … for a simple banana.
"They looked more like wild dogs than monkeys. I've never seen them so aggressive, "says Sasaluk Rattanachai, present during the confrontation.
In Nara Park in Japan, where thousands of tourists came, Sika deer living in freedom have no choice but to venture into the city, even frequenting the subway stations. Already threatened by the ingestion of plastic bags abandoned by visitors, Sika deer are now at risk of being struck by vehicles while crossing the roads.
In Japan as in Thailand, residents have nevertheless tried to help the animals by offering them food.
Abandoned African reserves
In South Africa, animal reserves are afraid. The money spent by tourists in these places contributes to the conservation of endangered species such as the African elephant, the white rhinoceros or the spotted hyena, the animals are therefore likely to suffer from the drop in tourist numbers. "The local tourism industry has already suffered heavy losses. Whatever happens, the virus will have a negative impact on our industry ", affirms the Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane.
AT conversely, the Gabon is trying to protect the gorillas and chimpanzees that inhabit its forests from the threat of the coronavirus by keeping tourists away!
"We have decided to close the sightseeing activities of viewing the great apes in our parks, in order to avoid any risk of transmission from Man to animal. Respiratory viruses that affect humans are easily transmitted to great apes due to the proximity between these species ", announced the acting executive secretary of the National Parks Agency, Christian Tchemambela.