Today we’re going to give our happy place a jolly good spring clean. We all know what’s going on - so no need to dwell. In fact, our top-tip today is to turn off the telly.
We’re not going to worry about that which is out of our control.
We know what happens when we bottle everything up inside. So, we’re going to let go of everything that’s outside our sphere of influence and we’re going to grasp good news with both hands instead.
Number One: The Environment is Healing
A few weeks ago, brave Greta Thunberg and her army of international bright young things were warning us (day-in day-out) about the consequences of our lifestyles. They told us we needed to fly less, consume less and travel less in general. Let’s not forget - many of them felt they had no other choice but social disobedience, mass protest and risking their own civil liberties - to make their point. They’re right too and the proof is the shining silver lining underneath all this.
If we can take one thing away from this, let it be this one simple point. The environmental campaigners have proven their case.
All over the world, air pollution is falling. Cities like London and New Delhi have seen dramatic improvements in air quality. India’s three largest cities saw the average nitrogen dioxide levels decline by as much as 50%. Plus, it’s not only the data, people are seeing the physical results of this with their own eyes.
"I have not seen such blue skies in Delhi for the past 10 years," said Jyoti Pande Lavakare, the co-founder of Indian environmental organization Care for Air.
The simple truth is, during this new status quo, we’re burning less fossil fuel, manufacturing is down and all over the world we’re seeing the planet thrive.
Ozone is at its highest levels in five years, a study in China found. Carbon dioxide emissions have fallen by around 25%. And researchers in New York found carbon monoxide levels have fallen by almost 50% compared with 2019.
Number Two: Nature is Thriving
Other good news from around the planet includes the return of fish to the crystal clear waters of Venice’s canals.
Turtles have once again begun to nest on Brazil’s deserted beaches.
Wild boar have emerged from the foothills of Barcelona.
Wild deer are investigating the deserted Subways stations of Japan.
And in Wales a herd of mountain goats have invaded a local village… which is good news if you’re a goat.
Number Three: Good Habits Abound
We’re getting our homework done. A huge number of us are now successfully working from home, and now that we’ve proved it’s possible, it’s going to be hard to go back. Start-ups like Slack and Zoom have stepped up and proved their concepts in that last few weeks. As more and more of us realise the power of these tools more of us will shun the office. Of course, more homeworking means less commuting which in itself good news for the planet.
Not only have we embraced telecommuting, we’ve shown the world we understand the true value of our workers. Carers and frontline staff, but also the shop workers, delivery drivers, refuse collectors. We now appreciate them all and many others as vital to our communities. They’re all workers many of us have taken for granted not so long ago.
The rise of community spirit: Never have we bonded so well with our neighbours and neighbourhoods. Support groups are expanding all over the world, and there’s a willingness to set aside differences and muck in to help each other. When we get together, we can do so much and we’ve never been more together than we are right now.
Have you got more good news to share? If so, we’d love to hear it, why not message us and let us know?
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