Don't Worry, Good Things Are Still Happening
- delilahhemstreet
- Mar 11
- 2 min read
If you read environmental news you might assume the world is on a runaway path to self-destruction. The United States dropped out of the Paris Climate Agreement, government contracts to increase renewable energy production are being suspended or cancelled in favor of fossil fuel energy sources that produce carbon and pollute air and water, and the attitude among many new leaders is that climate change is not a priority. But, it is not all doom and gloom.
There are still so many good things happening around the world that move us towards a more sustainable and healthier future. For example, after decades of clean up, a previously toxic nuclear site in the state of Washington is now being converted into the largest solar farm in the country. The Hecate Project, as it is called, should be finished in 2030, and will generate 2,000 megawatts of electricity, more than twice as much as the current largest solar plant (Copper Mountain Solar Facility which produces 802 megawatts of energy). To put that in perspective, Hecate will produce enough solar energy to power all the homes in Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle. That is a HUGE WIN for clean energy and the environment!
So, while we need to keep fighting for a healthier future, don't despair. Here is a list of amazing environmental victories that I think will leave you hopeful:
The UK closed it's last coal-fired power plant in 2024
Over the past decade, the cost of solar panels has decreased 90%, and is expected to get even cheaper
Enough solar power is now generated globally to power one billion homes
U.S. wind energy production hit a record high in April of 2024, surpassing coal-fired energy production
California voters approved $10 billion be allocated to climate priorities including wildfire prevention and clean water resilience
Indigenous leaders in the Pacific recognized dolphins and whales as "legal persons"
Deforestation of the Amazon was at its lowest in nine years
The International Court granted citizens the right to a healthy environment, holding governments accountable for doing environmental harm that negatively impacts our quality of life
Indigenous peoples, stewards of some of the world's most important ecosystems, were included in decision making at COP16 (16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity)
Bison were restored to tribal lands in parts of the U.S.
In part assisted by efforts of government of Bhutan and the Tiger Conservation Coalition, wild tiger populations in Asia are rebounding and significant money was raised to help preserve tiger habitat
To be fair, there are big environmental challenges we must overcome. If you want to read about the biggest issue we face, read this article on Earth.org, 15 Biggest Environmental Problems of 2025. But stay hopeful, and stay committed to a cleaner greener planet!
Thank you for reading!
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/business/hanford-nuclear-site-solar-farm.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare https://earth.org/the-biggest-environmental-problems-of-our-lifetime/
https://commonland.com/natures-top-5-environmental-wins-and-setbacks-of-2024-the-naughty-or-nice-list/ https://vitalsigns.edf.org/story/5-reasons-be-hopeful-big-environmental-wins-2024
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