The novel coronavirus seems to be at the center of every conversation these days. It is difficult to find positives when it pertains to the deadly virus and the ramifications it has caused. News outlets do not hesitate to share the often disappointing, concerning, and depressing facts with viewers. Although remaining informed about the continued threat, death toll and economic devastation from the coronavirus is paramount, one can also find a silver lining in the form of benefits to our environment. These benefits bear serious consideration once the current pandemic is hopefully managed as to how to balance a return to a functioning society with increased awareness and care for our global environment.

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 Air pollution has decreased immensely. Transport makes up 23% of the world’s global carbon emissions, but as a result of airlines and companies grounding their flights, there are significantly fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants being emitted. The ozone layer has had the opportunity to cool down and recover. A specific example is in Wuhan, China, the city where coronavirus was first prevalent. Unlike 2019 and previous years, the NO2 levels in the city did not rise after the Chinese New Year.

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In addition, lockdowns have put a significant amount of insect harming practices on hold. This has created a friendlier environment for wild bees, with a decrease in habitat loss and use of pesticides. Bees are not the only wild animals experiencing the benefits of minimized human disruption. In Israel, wild boars are venturing further into the city of Haifa than ever before, and dolphins in Bosphorus, Turkey, are increasingly braving the narrow straits often utilized by ships.

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One country that has suffered immensely from COVID-19 is Italy. However, one positive outcome is that the canals in Venice are clearer than ever. Italians have taken to Facebook to share images of the crystal clear blue, a result of the decrease in boat traffic. Pierpaolo Campostrini, the managing director for the Consortium for Managing Scientific Research on Venice Lagoon System, states: "The low turbidity of the water does not mean cleanliness. The transparency is due to the absence of sediment resuspension." Although Venetians cannot quite swim in their canals, they can appreciate the beauty that has unfolded.

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Although we may not know what the future will bring, or how this virus will progress, the environmental benefits from lack of human activity spark the question: If humans were like a virus plaguing the earth with commerce and unchecked waste, how do we address our own need to move forward but with an increased protection and appreciation for our environment? With a vaccine, so to speak, that will protect our Earth as well as human lives?