Discover the Uplifting Environmental Stories of 2023: A Year of Hope and Progress for Our Planet
We frequently hear the expressions “eco-anxiety,” “climate doom,” and “environmental existential dread” and frequently experience them ourselves. Although there is much to be concerned about when it comes to climatic and environmental challenges, we must not lose hope since apathy is bred by pessimism.
The Top Positive Environmental Stories
On this farm in Portugal’s Alentejo, pigs take maternity leave and trees can retire
The enormous estates of Montado, an ancient cultural landscape that stretches from the hills down to the plains of Alentejo and blends trees with animals and crops, including Herdade de S. Lus. The landowner emphasizes the importance of animals and claims that they can fertilize the soil, eat acorns, and benefit from the oak trees’ shade in addition to helping to avoid fires.
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It gets cheaper the more you install: 33% of the world’s energy will come from wind and solar by 2030.
According to a report released by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), wind and solar energy projects are on track to supply more than a third of the world’s electricity by 2030. This shows that the energy industry can make the necessary changes to help the world accomplish its climate change goals.
The next UN climate summit’s president, Sultan al-Jaber, called for a tripling of renewable energy production by 2030 earlier this year to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement’s objectives.
Changing Polluting Industries From the Inside
If net zero goals are to be achieved, the globe will need a vast army of green-collar employees, from solar panel engineers to bus drivers. There will be 300 million such occupations worldwide by 2050, according to estimates of this expanding workforce. Many of those positions will be filled by individuals who are transitioning to greener careers themselves. Since we spoke to oil and gas workers in 2021, this transition has been accelerating quickly.
A huge mineral discovery in Norway could supply battery and solar panels for the next 50 years
Huge phosphate resources that have been found in southwest Norway may be sufficient to supply solar panels, electric cars, and fertilizer for at least 50 years. Norge Around 70 billion tonnes of precious minerals were found in 2018.
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Phosphate is high in phosphorus, a mineral that is essential to many green technologies and fertilizers. The discovery is significant because Europe has been having supply problems at this time.
Living near a green space can reduce your biological age by 2.5 years
In line with a recent study, having access to local parks and community gardens can delay biological aging.
Researchers from Spain and the United States discovered that those who live close to green spaces are, on average, 2.5 years younger biologically than those who do not.
Smartphone makers build easily replaceable batteries
The ability for customers to swap out their batteries will soon be mandated by the European Union for smartphone manufacturers. Millions of phones could be kept out of landfills thanks to strict new regulations implemented by the European Parliament. More than 150 million smartphones are discarded each year. This flood of electronic trash might be stopped by making batteries easier to replace.
Paris Olympics will be viewed while seated on recycled plastic chairs
Visitors will sit on repurposed plastic chairs from nearby trash bins at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. The idea is part of broader attempts to lessen the environmental impact of the Olympic Games and combat a lack of raw materials for plastic. There will be about 11,000 recycled-material seats.
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Tiny Galápagos making a promising comeback
Darwin’s flycatcher is in danger of going extinct. However, according to conservationists, the little bird may be making a comeback. The attractive birds, known for their stunning vermillion feathers, are unique to the Galápagos Islands. They have been given the “vulnerable” designation by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, authorities have reported that 12 new chicks were born on the island of Santa Cruz this year.
Conclusion
It is crucial to acknowledge the progress being made in the direction of a cleaner future as part of our collaborative effort to battle climate change and promote environmental sustainability. This may or may not contribute to but we in our stances must make a little effort to protect the environment in whatever little capacity we can.
