Last updated on May 13th, 2021 at 05:53 am
Everyday, we encounter a busy street full of cars, people and establishments. The world we live in was like this. But plot twist, COVID-19 took place and people are forced to stay at home to reduce the spreading of the virus.
But here’s to an important improvement amidst the increasing numbers of people infected by the virus.
Our earth is healing.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the unexpected dramatic reduction in operations in the Philippines and other countries helps the planet to recover itself from environmental destruction. Secretary Roy Cimatu of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that the major cause of climate change, which is air pollution due mainly to industrial and transport-related carbon emissions, is being significantly diminished.
He also highlighted the reduced volume of waste in public places because people are in strict quarantine in the home while factories, banks, buildings and businesses like restaurants are closed.
In recent days, air quality in the metropolis has significantly improved, with Metro Manila and Luzon being put under enhanced Community quarantine measures to tackle the outbreak of COVID-19, Cimatu said.
The DENR’s Environment Management Bureau (EMB) air quality information system recorded a substantial decrease in particulate matter (PM) concentration in the air quality of Metro Manila based on the results obtained from air monitoring stations in the cities of Las Piñas, Marikina, Muntinlupa and Parañaque.
Particulate matter is an Air pollution source. PM10 has a diameter of 10 micrometers or less, while PM2.5 has a smaller diameter, or 2.5 micrometers or less.
On March 22, the average 24-hour PM10 level in Las Piñas and Marikina dropped from a high of 57.81 and 31.28 ug / Ncm to 31.67 and 27.21 micrograms per normal cubic meter (ug / Ncm) on March 9 respectively. The normal acceptable threshold for PM10 is 60 ug / Ncm.
These improvements from different cities is something to be thankful for. All the more let’s expect for more of this. Seeing how coronavirus will eradicate and our earth to be healed.
Yes, it seems like things are getting better environmental wise for now, and it makes sense because people are mandated to quarantine… however, recently in Baguio, a Villar company was allowed to cut 50+ trees.