I posted this discussion for the purpose of providing a little bit of good news, especially now, at a time when so much of the news is disheartening.

And yet, someone downvoted the discussion.

So, I would like to invite the downvoter to identify him or herself, and tell us what they found objectionable.

To the down voter a little message

"There's nowt so queer as folk"

A yorkshire expression I am lead to believe; - translated it means 'there is nothing so strange as people'

Nowt = nothing or zero 0.

Queer = queer, strange, peculiar, abnormal, deluded bad idiotic etc.

Folk = people (of which you are one) from German originally I believe.

The clear skies are too early and difficult yet to put down to the lockdown, because London does in normal times have unexpected periods of clear blue Mediterranean skies. There is clearly no exhaust dust settling onto people's window cills or doorsteps. Shirt collars are not getting black and filthy after a day or less of wear.

What is noticeable is the returning of many early morning bird calls or "bird song" that I have not heard for many years. It was probably there but could not carry over the 24/7 traffic noise.

The pictures of blue seas around the coast although unusual it is not unknown occassinsaly in local spots, but to be so clear and blue all over is possibly down to less seabed disturbance from boats motors and propellers churning up the sea bed, The English coastlines have many muddy sea beds around many of its coasts.

The best good news would be the pandemic is over! It was just a nightmare! People, wake up and go back to your routines!

But you cannot be the messenger of that best of all possible good news, Richard. 

Yes, I am consciously enjoying the clear air, the reduced noise caused by traffic and the lack of mass-events. I can hear the nightingale! That happened (to me) here in my area the last time 30 years ago!

Apart from statistics which you cannot trust in every case we can see, feel and understand the differences. Less global traffic, less CO2 emission.

But wait a moment (I know historically seen it is just a second) before speaking about "pre- and post-pandemic" air pollution. The pandemic is not over. We will have to train very neglected skills: patience, discipline and a great deal of (almost forgotten) modesty.

Do we really want to go back to the pre-pandemic situation? I urgently hope that we recognize and use the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change our lifestyle.

I don't belong to them who think that 'mother nature' is about to take revenge. It is only a matter of adaptation and evolution. More CO2, more 'sour rain', more pollution of air and water, less water at all, droughts, hurricanes, dying and burning forests, wild-animals trying to eat from the full plates of mega-cities (as long as they are not kept in cages until they are fat enough to be slaughtered), a 'confused' eco-system at all that is damaged and disturbed by us. We always want to control and rule what is beyond our control.

 

Thank you for your well-written comments.

You were right to point out a mistake I made when I wrote "pre- and post-pandemic", so I have changed it to, "Photos comparing pre-pandemic and current air pollution".

I also realize that the improvement in air quality is not the best news, but it is one little bit of good news, even though it may be temporary.

Stay safe... stay well

...reduction in noise as well..