×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Saturday
02
May 2026
weather symbol
Athens 13°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

Photos & charts show how the natural world is thriving now that humans are staying indoors

And major decreases in nitrogen dioxide concentrations were observed throughout Europe in recent weeks

Newsroom April 17 01:32

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to take hold of the world, many governments have imposed strict lockdown and social distancing measures in order to curb the spread of the disease. As of Wednesday evening, more than a third of the planet’s population is under some form of restriction, with many under order to stay at home and avoid social gatherings.

Limiting social gathering has led to declines in certain industries, like travel and hospitality, which has stunted the global economy. But fewer humans outside has also allowed the natural world to convalesce. Changes to pollution, air quality, and a resurgence of wildlife have all been observed in the months since the new coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

Some environmentalists say that humans have put too much pressure on the natural world, leading diseases that typically exist in nature to spillover into humans.

“There are too many pressures at the same time on our natural systems and something has to give,” Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program told The Guardian last month. “We are intimately interconnected with nature, whether we like it or not. If we don’t take care of nature, we can’t take care of ourselves”.

See Also:

US Space Command denounces Russian “hostile” anti-satellite weapon test

Other experts have said that the world is undergoing an “unprecedented natural experiment” in how restrictions on human activity put in place due to the new coronavirus have brought us clearer skies and cleaner air.

>Related articles

Economist: Piraeus and Elefsina at the heart of global port rivalry — The U.S.–China “naval battle”

From Kansas city to Thessaloniki: The american who put her trust in Greece’s public healthcare system — and went viral

Trump escalates clash with Merz and withdraws 5,000 troops from Germany: What it means for NATO and Europe

From cleaner beaches to less air pollution, here are 10 photos, videos, and charts that show how the world’s condition is improving while people stay indoors.

Air pollution in China has decreased, and satellite photos have captured the dramatic drop in recent weeks.

Read more: The Insider

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#charts#climate#coronavirus#COVID-19#earth#environment#photos#pollution#world
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Economist: Piraeus and Elefsina at the heart of global port rivalry — The U.S.–China “naval battle”

May 2, 2026

Athens Reshape hosts Circular Economy Fair on May 10 at Impact Hub Athens

May 2, 2026

Marc Poll for Proto Thema: New Democracy rebounds after measures and Macron — and ahead of two new parties

May 2, 2026

Lost in degrees: Why Greece produces graduates the market doesn’t need

May 2, 2026

U.S. Policy voices meet academia: AHI President joins Georgetown panel on Cyprus

May 2, 2026

The global yacht elite in Greece: Stunning images from the 11th Mediterranean Yacht Show in Nafplio

May 2, 2026

From Kansas city to Thessaloniki: The american who put her trust in Greece’s public healthcare system — and went viral

May 2, 2026

Port hub worth hundreds of millions behind Ionian drilling operations

May 2, 2026
All News

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

April 10, 2026

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

April 10, 2026

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

April 10, 2026

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

April 10, 2026

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

April 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα