Social distancing, quarantines, lockdowns: The global pandemic has changed the way we live, work, and socialize in almost every way. While this shift in lifestyle has been a challenge for many of us, there’s one “person” in particular who’s truly benefitting from our self-isolation and all of our time spent at home: Mother Nature.
Forbes recently reported that things are looking up for the environment and that the decrease in human activity, travel, and time outdoors has allowed us to witness some of the positive changes and healing that’s happening in nature. You may have seen some of the other news articles—unprecedentedly clear waters in Venice, less air pollution in China, and other stories of the environment’s recovery during coronavirus have been popping up around the world.
Of course, much of the improvements have been attributed to long withstanding efforts in conservation, habitat improvements, and nature-positive policies . But because the population at large spent a great deal of time indoors in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we are now able to see the results of these efforts in real-time.
Hearing the news that nature is healing is truly a blessing, and it got us thinking: What else can we do to keep this trend going in the right direction? How can we be better and do better for our environment?
Here are a few other ways we can help nature continue to heal:
- Implement natural elements, like living walls, to save energy. Living walls and green rooftops are not just aesthetically pleasing—they’re actually a great way to save on energy costs, mitigate the urban heat island effect, and improve air quality. By adding a living wall to your business or building facade, you can showcase your love of nature while also helping the environment.
- Think about green transportation. In China, levels of the pollutant nitrogen dioxide were reportedly down nearly 30% thanks to fewer cars on the road and fewer factories in operation. That drop in emissions is significant, and it’s something to consider in the future. Whether that means more electric vehicles or simply riding your bike to work, every bit counts when it comes to air quality.
- Continue to reduce, reuse, and recycle. During the pandemic, our shopping habits changed, with fewer people purchasing non-essential goods. This can ultimately lead to less waste in a society that revolves around consumption, and it’s also something we can practice well into the future by being conscious about what we buy, what we throw away, and how we can recycle more in our everyday lives.
- Support nature-positive policies and legislation. Laws that protect or support the environment are twice as beneficial: Not only do they help nature, but a recent report stated that nature-positive solutions can create an estimated 395 million jobs by 2030, along with $10.1 trillion in annual business value.
- Share what you’re doing with those around you. One of the most important things we can do for nature’s healing is to spread the word with those around us. The more people who know about what’s happening in our world and how we can help, the better chance we have to keep these changes moving in a positive direction.
