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Air Pollution : See Before-And-Now Photos Of Major Cities During Coronavirus Lockdown
These before-and-now photos of major cities reveals global air pollution levels has fallen significantly since two-third of the world went into Coronavirus lockdown.
With factories shut down around the world due to Coronavirus lockdown, air pollution has noticeably reduced in cities such as New Delhi and Jakarta.
New photos reveals the visible transformation in the global atmosphere from the time before the era of coronavirus pandemic and now.
With factories shut down and fewer cars on road, air pollution has noticeably reduced, with air pollution levels in China and India down an estimated 25%.
BEFORE
Los Angeles in California, United States is notorious for two things : smog and heavy traffic.
NOW
The San Gabriel Mountains are visible in Los Angeles, California, on April 14, 2020.
According to reports, LA saw the most consecutive good air days in March than it has since at least 1995.
BEFORE
India is home to 14 of the 20 cities with the most hazardous air in 2019.
NOW
Delhi hasn’t seen air this clear for decades.
According to a retired English professor based in Delhi :
“I look at the sky quite often and enjoy its blueness from my balcony,”
BEFORE
In 2019, CNN cited “dangerous levels of pollution” in New Delhi, describing India’s capital as “shrouded” in “a toxic, throat-searing cloud of brown smog.”
NOW
With the current lockdown, New Delhi is currently experiencing “the longest spell of clean air on record.”
BEFORE
India, with a population of 1.3 billion people, has the world’s largest lockdown.
NOW
According to a previous Insider report, some parts of India saw the Himalayas for the first time in decades.
BEFORE
New Delhi’s air is so polluted it can be seen from space.
NOW
The city now has a lower levels of both noxious microscopic particulate (PM 2.5) and of nitrogen dioxide post-lockdown.
The PM 2.5 went down by 71% in a single week.
BEFORE
Venice, Italy’s, high-traffic waterways were generally murky.
NOW
In March, photos emerged of the canals looking so clear that you could see to their bottom.
BEFORE
Milan was named Europe’s most polluted city in 2008. It is still polluted with smog in 2020.
NOW
With reduction in air pollution, Milan is thinking about introducing a plan to reduce car use after the pandemic to avoid a rebound.
BEFORE
Jakarta’s air pollution was so bad that a group of local activists decided to sue the Indonesian government to take action.
NOW
With factories shut down after social restrictions were put in place in late March, the Jakarta Environment Agency reported improved air quality.
BEFORE
Jakarta, the Indonesian capital ranks as one of the world’s smoggiest cities.
NOW
Previously, blue skies in Jakarta were a sign of many of the city’s residents leaving for the Eid al-Fitr holidays in June.
BEFORE
Pakistani capital, Islamabad’s poor air quality is worsening due to increase in number of cars, as well as steel mills.
NOW
Thanks to a lockdown-induced decrease in traffic, visibility has improved.
