Happy Healthy Earth Day

Happy Earth day from all of us at Maine Home Connection. Working in tandem with the eco-conscious development Douglas Ridge means that we have Earth on our mind pretty much all year round, but this year today is extra special. Not only is it the 50th anniversary of the holiday, but with everyone taking precautions to ensure the health of humanity, it’s amazing to see the restorative effects on our planet. In the months since the COVID-19 pandemic, cities around the world are experiencing record levels of decreased pollution. In New Delhi for example, people were able to see a blue sky. A normal occurrence for us Mainers, but for those in India it had been years.

Pollution and air quality isn’t just important for those interested in keeping the planet healthy – it’s tied to our own health. Scientific America noted that the U.S. cities hardest hit by COVID-19 so far are also cities with poor air quality: New York, San Francisco, and Seattle metro areas. Areas with the best air quality, such as Maine, Vermont and Hawaii, have fewer COVID-19 deaths per capita. Air pollution can cause lung and respiratory diseases, putting people at higher risk. But things are getting better. Experts at Carbon Brief predicts that because of COVID-19 related shutdowns there could be CO2 reductions of around 5.5 percent in 2020 compared to 2019—larger than those seen during any previous economic crisis or war.

We know this is just temporary, but we hope that seeing these changes will make an impact on those that can make a real difference. Until then, we’re proud to partner with a company that puts the health of people and the planet before profits.