Why We Should Stay Hopeful After A Year Of Troubling News
Updated: Aug 2
It's fair to say 2025 was a difficult year. A year of environmental and political chaos and social destabilization from multiple wars and climate disasters. This past year also saw the defunding of major renewable energy projects in the United States, this despite the reality of climate change being felt all around us. All of this has led many to become pessimistic about the future, but it is important to appreciate the victories and remain hopeful by focusing on what went well and how we might do better in the coming year.
LET'S START WITH THE BIG ENVIRONMENTAL WINS! In 2025, wind, solar and other renewable energies became the world's leading energy source. Many endangered species are no longer endangered, such as the green turtle, whose population has increased due to conservation efforts. The green turtle is now labeled as “least concern” on the IUCN’s Red List. In my own backyard, the Colorado Rocky Mountains, I saw more bears and cubs roaming around this summer than every before and the state has reintroduced the gray wolf to the wild. Pope Leo continued the late Pope Francis's campaign for environmental justice. In his message to the United Nations’ climate conference, he said we must “Protect and care for the creation entrusted to us by God in order to build a peaceful world.” Backing words with action, Vatican City operates on 100% renewable energy More then 40 other countries get at least half of their energy from renewables. FireSat was launched, which are basically satellites that can spot wildfires early almost anywhere on the planet. And the Sierra Club was able to accomplish some incredible climate victories, too. The organization prevented a million acres of public land from being sold off, improved energy affordability, and prevented the illegal firings of many national park and forest service employees. “These victories are more than accomplishments – they’re proof that when we organize, we win,” the Sierra Club said in a statement.
While many believe that the health of the environment is in the hands of the world's biggest governments and people in power, that is not the case. So, what can we do as individuals? For starters, volunteer or donate! If possible, commit some of you time and/or money to organizations such as Sierra Club who fight day in and day out for environmental justice. World Wildlife Fund is another amazing organization, helping protect wildlife and their habitats. The Rainforest Trust puts 100% of donations towards rainforest conservation. One Tree Planted helps restore forest habitat, sequestering carbon from the air and helping fight climate change. There are many more great organizations – The Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, Water.org, Earthjustice. The list goes on! Do your research, find the environmental organization that aligns with your passions and get involved!
In addition to volunteering and donating to great organizations, here's a short list of things we should keep in mind that we can incorporate into our lives in 2026:
Reduce what you purchase, reuse and recycle
Take shorter showers, and reduce water use overall
Properly dispose of e-waste
Use sustainable transportation such as biking, carpool, bus, train, or walking
Buy products locally, from local farmers markets and brands, as opposed to chains
Buy products that are fair-trade
Donate and thrift clothing
Start Composing
Plant trees
Reduce chemicals in your house, such as detergents, dish soaps, cleaning products, shampoos, body scrubs, skincare, etc.
Avoid products with excess packaging
Use LED light bulbs
Reduce beef and dairy consumption
Eat locally sourced, organic food
Stay positive, be kind to one another, and lend a helping hand to those in need!
As an individual, if you do just a few of these things you are making a difference. Now imagine thousands and millions of us doing just a few of these things. The positive change would be felt around the world! Thank you for reading and doing your part to ensure that we and future generations will enjoy a cleaner, greener planet!
There is something approachable about discussing practising English through everyday tasks through situations people can actually picture. A realistic task can give a learner a reason to use a phrase rather than only recognise it. It gives me a more concrete starting point for thinking about English language skills. I do not have a settled view yet, but this seems like a good place to slow down and look more closely. Which everyday situations offer useful practice for a beginner?
I find building confidence in continuing education easier to think about when there is a concrete question to start from. A manageable first assignment can help learners understand the pace and expectations of a course. This is why I would approach continuing education skills with a specific question rather than a fixed expectation. The part I would like to explore further is what happens when the idea meets a real situation with its own limitations. What kind of introduction would make a new learning environment easier to approach?
My first thought about exploring cultural memory through monuments is that the everyday experience deserves as much attention as the larger explanation. A monument can prompt questions about which stories a community chooses to preserve. That is the kind of detail I would keep in mind while exploring cultural monument education. I would probably come back to this question after trying to work through one concrete example rather than deciding immediately. How can learners discuss a memorial while recognising different perspectives on its meaning?
What interests me about exploring local heritage in Ostrorog is how a broad idea becomes part of an ordinary day. A community's history can become easier to picture through ordinary objects and places. I would use that point as a starting question when considering Ostrorog heritage education. I am still thinking through the details, and a small example would help me picture how this works in practice. How could students present local heritage in a way that welcomes further questions?
What interests me about developing musical skills through steady practice is how a broad idea becomes part of an ordinary day. Listening back to a short attempt can reveal details that are difficult to notice while playing. It gives me a more concrete starting point for thinking about structured music practice. I can imagine different answers depending on the situation, so I would want to understand the context before drawing conclusions. What would you listen for when comparing two versions of the same passage?