The Coronavirus has positive benefits. There is much less road traffic globally. Our skies are quieter. Less millions of tons of hydrocarbon discharge over our heads globally – great for birds, butterflies, bees, animals, plants and people. Since the drastic reduction in activities, pollution has greatly reduced in the world. It was reported that for the first time fish life has returned to the highly polluted canals of Venice. Usually choked by pollution from diesel-powered commuter boats and water buses, Venice’s canals are usually clouded and murky. Now the waters are clear enough to bring back shoals of small fish and swans to the canals. As bad as the coronavirus outbreak is, it’s really showing the effect humans have had on the environment. It shows how we are destroying our planet. Perhaps that could be a lesson to take better care of it.
Stop and Listen! . . . Can you hear the world breathe?
Millions of restaurants are empty and people have discovered they can enjoy home-cooking. It is a wake-up call to show how we have changed our priorities. Like in all wars and major disasters, it has brought communities together.
This is very much on the scale of the world economic crisis of 2008, which has lasted ever since and looks like never-ending. It is like a horror movie, except it is for real. It is also a historical moment that will be remembered for years to come. After this pandemic, the world will never be the same. Habits will change, work practices will change. Businesses will change. Let’s hope it will be for the better. Will it?
Stay safe. Go out and enjoy the fresher air. Together we will get over this.
Scientifically, nature is doing its job.
Poor coronavirus is getting a bad name.
André Rungen. March 2020
The above extract is from a letter - part of a series written by project participant André Rungen reflecting on the impact of coronavirus. In what ways will it change the world and peoples' attitudes? What does the political and social response to the virus say about what we most value as a society? How will the virus help up gain a deeper level of awareness of how interconnected we all are to nature?
I've been sharing messages with Andre on my reflections. Although I am sad that this project in many ways will need to be put on hold, I'm conscious of the opportunities to continue to engage as a community - finding creative ways of doing so and adapting until we are in a position to meet again in person. As Andre suggests, a pause and slower pace may be richer in many ways, helping us realise things we wouldn't ordinarily value in the more familiar faster pace of life.
Mahenderpal Sorya, 24.03.20
Comments