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To the editor:

With Earth Day having come and gone this year, it’s important to reflect on how environments around the world are beginning to see change and recovery due to human quarantine.

This year also marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Without being able to gather and hold events as usual, many organizations turned to digital events to celebrate the Earth. However, pointing out all the environmental changes occurring during quarantine is a good way to reflect on Earth Day and give us some positive notes during this difficult time.

Changes are occurring around the world in many different ways. Many news sites are reporting on how clear the Venice canals have become during this time. People can now see fish, dolphins and even jellyfish swimming in the canals. In many large cities, air pollution has dramatically decreased. Beautiful images of these cities without smog have been captured recently.

While these small changes are not enough to end climate change in the short term, seeing the changes can give hope that we can still slow climate change with our actions. Cutting this big issue into smaller achievable goals by all of society will make a change. But someone needs to step up and lead the way.

Kristen Kellogg

Gates, N.C.