Since the Industrial revolution, Earth has been humankind’s workshop. Our material habits have driven nature to the brink in our eternal quest for more. Rarely have we actually stopped and taken our foot off the pedal and now that we have, what will catch up with us?
Ordinarily, Croydon is a hive of activity during the Easter break; people celebrate, shop and catchup with others. However, this year, this couldn’t be further from the case. Residents are locked down at home and the streets deserted.
Some places have remained open though: hospitals are busier than ever, fuelled by the dedication and persistence of NHS workers, who have been putting their own lives at risk to help save others. It is true that COVID-19 has had a disastrous impact on Croydon, both economically and physically. Yet, as Winter blossoms into Spring are there any silver linings that we can look for in these dark times?
One impact that has been felt across the globe is the return of nature in places previously full of people. Whether that be the dolphins in Venice’s canals, coyotes in San Francisco or wildlife here in Croydon, during this pandemic, nature’s resilience and flexibility has certainly been demonstrated to adapt to almost any situation.
In Croydon, reduced pollution levels and quieter streets have meant that wildlife has returned here too. Divy Dayal, a local resident and environmentalist, talked about the changes Croydon has seen in recent weeks. 'Living in the suburbs of Purley, I see more wildlife than the rest of London, but now, I’ve been seeing a lot more, like herons, robins, swallows and even some monarch butterflies.’
Despite the toll the pandemic is having on human life, Dayal talked about the upsides to this: ‘it's good to see that all the other species that we cohabit earth with are returning and making homes once again’. The rapid return of nature is a promising sign that there is still hope for the environment, even with the damage done to it.
This pause in life also gives us the rare opportunity to reflect. Usually, our lives are incredibly hectic with deadlines, appointments, timetables and schedules. However, when this structure dissolves and we are left with little to do, it is often an excellent time to reflect. In the past, when similar lockdowns have occurred, Isaac Newton discovered gravity and Shakespeare wrote King Lear.
So perhaps we can use this time positively – to be creative; connect with our family; and reflect on the things that are important to us in life.
By Nicholas James
