Earth Day News 2020: Beautiful Things Happening During the Pandemic

Endangered Sea Turtles Hatch on Abandoned Beach in Brazil

Mermaids, rejoice! While the beaches may be closed to us humans, our momentary hiatus allowed almost 100 critically endangered hawksbill turtles to safely nest and hatch on the empty Pernambuco shoreline. Coastal habitat destruction and the tortoiseshell trade threaten these beautiful sea creatures, and the perilous crawl from egg to the sea is one of the most dangerous parts of the hawksbill turtle’s life.

The Himalayas are Visible to India Due to Decreased Air Pollution

Anecdotally, the stunning Himalayan Mountains have been obscured by factory smog and air pollution for the past 30 years. Due to social distancing and government-mandated industrial closures, the air quality has improved dramatically and people in India can now gaze on the awe-inspiring Himalayas during this tumultuous time. Now, how about

Wildlife Roams Freely in Yosemite National Park

When the humans are away, the bobcats shall play, as evidenced by the wildcats roaming Yosemite National Park. Yosemite usually welcomes more than 308,000 tourists during April, which often pushes the wildlife to the outskirts and shadows, but due to the pandemic, the coyotes, bears, and bobcats are relishing the open spaces of the park and administrative areas, reclaiming the park as their own personal playground. 

Giant Pandas Finally Mate After 10 Years While Zoo Is Closed

We all like a little privacy, right?! Hong Kong’s Ocean Park is home to Ying Ying and Le Le, a long term and surprisingly shy couple of pandas. Though the park has struggled to get the pair to mate naturally over the last 13 years, Ying Ying and Le Le got romantic on their own terms while the zoo was closed during the coronavirus outbreak. Keep your fingers crossed for some adorable baby pandas in the near future! 

The Earth Quieted Down

Planes, trains, and automobiles have been parked considerably more in 2020, but industrial machinery has also come to a standstill. The end result? The planet is literally vibrating less. This phenomenon, referred to as seismic noise, has decreased by around one third, according to Thomas Lecocq, a seismologist at the Royal Observatory of Belgium in Brussels, and has been noticed and recorded by scientists worldwide.

Crocodiles (and Other Wildlife) Take Spring Break in Mexico

Crocodiles might not be the wildlife you expect to see during a day at the beach, but the giant reptiles are enjoying a surfside spring break in Mexico these days! La Ventanilla, Oaxaca is a popular eco-tourism destination, but the human hustle and bustle means that crocodiles avoid the beaches in favor of the lagoons… until the pandemic. Now, these giant crocodiles are happily sunning themselves on the normally tourist-packed shores! The crocs aren’t the only ones living it up in Mexico’s tourism hotspots, however, as local media reports a “jaguar was also spotted inside the complex of the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort & Spa in Tulum” and “a leatherback sea turtle laying its eggs on the beach in front of a luxury hotel in Cancun.” 

Pollution Cleared Over China

NASA’s satellite images have shown a dramatic decrease in air pollution over China during the pandemic, due in part to the economic slowdown and disruption in industrial workflow. The images map the presence of nitrogen dioxide, a noxious gas emitted by cars and factories, and reveal a striking change due to shifts in human activity.

Wild Goats Galavant Through Llandudno, Wales

A herd of wild Great Orme Kashmiri goats romped through the small seaside town of Llandudno, Wales this month, as the residents stayed home due to the pandemic. The mischievous and usually shy creatures clambered along city walls, munched on hedges, and galloped through the empty streets, turning into an overnight social media sensation. 

Waters Clear and Wildlife Returns to Venice

Venice has long been hailed for its beauty, but the normally bustling canals look a little different and even more striking these days. With the reduction of boat traffic and human activity due to COVID-19, the Venice canal waters cleared and settled, revealing tons of fish, crabs, and plant-life. Cormorants are taking advantage of the crystal clear water to dive for fish, and ducks are nesting at the Piazzale Roma Vaporetto.

Whales Frolic Amid Human Absence in the Mediterranean

Fewer ships sail the sea as ports worldwide are on lockdown, but fin whales are certainly enjoying the waters off the coast of southern France. A pair of fin whales was filmed off Calandques national park, just outside the normally busy port city of Marseille, exploring and enjoying the usually unfrequented waters. The site of frolicking whales so close to the port city is exceptionally rare, and “the absence of human activity means the whales are far more serene, calm and confident about rediscovering their playground that they abandon when there is maritime traffic,” park board head Didier Reault told The Associated Press.

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Happy Earth Day!

One Love & Blessings,

The Grit & Grace Family