If Coronavirus had a silver lining on its feet, it would be the fact that the disease has caused a huge drop in global pollution. Since everyone is now staying in the comfort of their homes, no cars, pollution, or any human wastes are available to be released in the world-- which resulted in a cleaner Earth.
How does Earth heals, now that humans are not out there?
The virus has now resulted in more than 400,000 confirmed cases and killed over 21,000 people around the world, as of today, Mar. 26. In the United States of America, which World Health Organization or WHO said to have a possible chance of becoming the newest epicenter of the disease, it has already recorded over 65,000 cases and reached death tolls of over 1,000.
US Government already implemented stricter stay-at-home quarantine to all states. This means that all American citizens-- that do not include on the frontline community such as nurses, doctors, military men, and others-- are required to self-quarantine at their homes. Due to this, fewer humans are outside, taking time for US states to pause for a while.
Google Earth Engine app called Earther identified how America is now drastically healing holistically and environmentally. Using the data from a European Space Agency satellite, the agency showed snapshots of the country from Jan. 2020 through Mar. 20, 2020.
Coronavirus started spreading in Jan. in China and immediately spread out all over the world-- including in the US. As seen in the images, the major metropolitan areas in the country, such as New York, Los Angeles, and California, have seen a tremendous improvement in air quality despite having the most populated cities in America.
The reddish part of the images was the parts wherein nitrogen dioxide are released more. Comparing both images that happened between less than three months, the reddish spots were drastically reduced. As reported, nitrogen dioxide released into the air burns fossil fuels. This might cause an increase in respiratory problems, as it inflames the lining of the lungs and reduces the person's ability to fight off lung infections.
California was seen to be teh first US state to reduce the release of nitrogen dioxide. This is due to the reason that it was also the first to implement a stay-at-home policy earlier this month. The state's drop in nitrogen dioxide began shortly after the system went into effect, with Los Angeles, now self-cleaning than ever recorded before. San Diego and the Bay Area also shares the same success of becoming greener cities.
New York is now self-cleaning
Researchers at Columbia University have also seen a decline in the emissions of carbon monoxide over New York City of more than 50 percent below average levels over the past week. The levels of carbon dioxide have dropped by up to 10 percent, and methane has also fallen 'significantly,' according to the researchers.
Guess once these are all over, we will return on a cleaner and better world.
