These Satellite Images Show A Striking Drop In Pollution Following The Coronavirus Lockdown In Italy

The whole world is feeling the effects of the Coronavirus outbreak. In weeks we were only exposed ro negative news around the pandemic, but now scientists finally are reporting a positive change, albeit it might not be what we might expect.
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), as well as a handful of independent researchers, the nitrogen dioxide emissions have significantly decreased over Italy following the lockdown caused by the spread of COVID-19.

“The decline in nitrogen dioxide emissions over the Po Valley in northern Italy is particularly evident,” Claus Zehner, ESA’s Copernicus Sentinel-5P mission manager reported.

“Although there could be slight variations in the data due to cloud cover and changing weather, we are very confident that the reduction in emissions that we can see, coincides with the lockdown in Italy causing less traffic and industrial activities.”

Scientists and researchers are reporting a significant decrease in NO2 levels above Italy

The graphs show a gradual decrease in NO2 pollution starting from 14th of February

Santiago Gassó, a research associate at NASA, took to Twitter to report on the results of the satellite sensor. He also explained that while fluctuating NO2 emissions are completely normal considering that they differ under such factors as the day of the week, this observed change was definitely significant.

And a significant decrease in March

The map showcases NO2 pollution levels on 8th of February, Saturday

While this one shows the pollution levels on Saturday, March 7

This is the data presented by European Space Agency (ESA) that shows the same tendency

Some Italians have also reported a more noticeable change in the environment

As the canals in Venice become crystal clear due to reduced traffic during the quarantine