Positive News: December 2024
Let's end this year on a positive note, shall we?
Hi friends! How have you enjoyed these positive news issues? If any of them have managed to lift your spirits, please let me know!
And a big thank you to anyone who donated to the organizations I listed in last month’s positive news round-up for Giving Tuesday.
See you next year!
Bonnie
UNITED STATES
The Montana Supreme Court has upheld a landmark ruling that affirms young people's constitutional right to a "stable climate system," invalidating a state law barring regulators from considering greenhouse gas emissions when permitting fossil fuel projects. The decision, a victory for 16 youth plaintiffs, sets a precedent as the first such ruling by a U.S. state supreme court.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a plan to offer state subsidies for EVs if federal tax credits are repealed under the Trump administration.
The EPA has proposed stricter limits on nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from new and updated combustion turbines at power plants and industrial facilities to protect communities from harmful air pollution. The rule, which uses advanced technology like selective catalytic reduction, aims to reduce NOx emissions by over 2,600 tons by 2032.
The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians in Oregon have regained their full hunting, fishing, and gathering rights after decades of restrictions imposed during their fight for federal recognition, marking a major victory for tribal sovereignty and cultural preservation. This decision allows the tribe to reconnect with traditions and provide natural foods for ceremonies.
President Biden's "Investing in America" agenda has attracted over $1 trillion in private-sector investments, creating 1.6 million construction and manufacturing jobs in clean energy, semiconductor technologies, and infrastructure.
Maine filed a lawsuit against oil companies including ExxonMobil and BP, accusing them of misleading the public about the environmental harm caused by fossil fuels and seeking damages to address the state's rising climate risks.
The Biden-Harris Administration announced $1 million in funding for seven projects aimed at building climate resilience in remote Alaskan communities. These initiatives will incorporate Indigenous Knowledge, support local research, and strengthen collaborations to address climate impacts on marine ecosystems and food security.
USDA is investing $265M to protect 335,000 acres of forestlands across 17 states, thanks to President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. These efforts will protect wildlife habitats, sequester carbon, and support rural economies while benefiting disadvantaged communities under the Justice40 Initiative.
A rare gray wolf pack, including two adults and at least two pups, was spotted in Lassen Volcanic National Park for the first time. Experts see this as a hopeful sign of conservation success, highlighting the importance of habitat protection and public awareness for wolf recovery.
Montana ranchers are adopting GPS-enabled “invisible fences” to reduce barbed wire, aiding wildlife migration and grassland conservation while benefitting species like pronghorn and elk.
Corporate America is leading the solar and storage revolution with record investments. Companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon are spearheading the U.S. shift to renewable energy, with nearly 40 GW of corporate solar and over 1.8 GWh of battery storage installed by Q1 2024.
The Penobscot Nation in Maine has regained management of 31,000 acres in the largest land-back conservation project for a U.S. tribe. This milestone aligns with studies showing Indigenous-managed lands foster greater biodiversity and long-term ecological benefits.
In a dramatic uprising, citizens in Florida ousted an entire council slate, halting plans for a controversial sewage plant near the beloved Blackwater River. With new councilors ready to prioritize environmental responsibility and community input, it’s a fresh start for the city and its treasured natural landmark.
Thanks to state policies and participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Maryland led the U.S. in greenhouse gas reductions, slashing them by 36% from 2005 to 2022.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is investing $1.2 billion to help 39 states build greener highways and bridges using low-carbon materials like cleaner concrete and steel, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Thirty bus shelters along Boston’s #28 route now feature green roofs, providing cooler streets, pollinator pathways, and stormwater retention. Part of Mayor Michelle Wu’s Heat Plan and powered by youth programs, this initiative demonstrates how small changes can create massive environmental impacts in urban spaces.
In a landmark election for public transit, voters across 19 jurisdictions approved $25 billion in funding measures for better mass transit options. Cities like Nashville, Denver, and Columbus backed transformative plans to reduce traffic, cut emissions, and create reliable transit systems that will reshape how communities connect and thrive.
Colorado High School seniors can now earn a groundbreaking Seal of Climate Literacy on their diplomas, recognizing mastery in climate knowledge and green skills.
Duke Energy is transforming a retiring coal plant in Gaston County, NC, into the state’s largest battery storage site, signaling a bold step towards clean energy. The 50 MW battery coming in 2025 and the larger 167 MW battery by 2027 will repurpose existing infrastructure, reducing costs and emissions.
The U.S. added 12,000 public EV charging ports in just three months, marking an 83% increase in NEVI-funded ports and pushing the national total to nearly 204,000. With 59% of high-traffic corridors now offering fast chargers every 50 miles, states like Ohio and New York are leading the charge.
The U.S. solar manufacturing capacity has quintupled since 2022 thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. The nation will deploy a record 40.5 gigawatts of solar power in 2024, led by Texas and Florida, and domestic solar cell production has resumed for the first time since 2019.
The Biden administration has barred PFAS chemicals—dubbed "forever chemicals" for their environmental persistence—from expedited approvals, ensuring rigorous safety reviews before their use.
In a U.S. first, 4,000 new apartments in downtown San Jose will be heated using waste heat from nearby data centers. The innovative project will reduce emissions, cut energy bills, and boost efficiency by capturing heat from servers, mirroring successful systems in cities like Stockholm and Helsinki.
Brown University has transferred 255 acres of ancestral land in Bristol, Rhode Island, to a preservation trust for the Pokanoket Indian Tribe. The move fulfills part of a 2017 agreement and marks a significant milestone in land reclamation efforts.
The world's first "flying" electric ferry, powered by zero-emission renewable electricity, is set to debut on Lake Tahoe by late 2025, offering faster, smoother, and eco-friendly transportation while preserving the lake's famous blue clarity.
The Biden-Harris Administration announced a $109 million investment to clean up 484 orphaned oil and gas wells on federal lands, reducing harmful methane emissions, restoring landscapes, and creating good-paying jobs.
The Yurok Tribe is set to reclaim 125 acres of ancestral land bordering Redwood National and State Parks, a historic step towards restoring their cultural and environmental stewardship, including reviving salmon populations and reintroducing the California condor.
Amtrak’s new high-speed electric trains, launching in spring 2025, will reduce energy consumption by 20%, create over 1,300 U.S. jobs, and offer faster, more comfortable, and eco-friendly travel along the busy Northeast Corridor.
New Mexico has designated 250 miles of rivers and streams as Outstanding National Resource Waters, safeguarding them from pollution and ensuring their pristine quality amidst growing environmental challenges.
The EPA has approved California's Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, setting ambitious zero-emission vehicle standards through 2035, and its Low-NOx rules for heavy-duty vehicles, supporting cleaner air and reducing health impacts from pollution.
The EPA will support the deployment of more than 2,400 zero-emission, heavy-duty vehicles benefiting 27 states, three Tribal Nations and disadvantaged communities with more than $735 million in grants.
A new book, Climate Capitalism by award-winning climate reporter Akshat Rathi, explores how innovative leaders and profitable green technologies across five continents are already driving the fight against climate change, offering an optimistic vision for a sustainable future. Praised by figures like Bill Gates and hailed as one of the year’s best books, it blends science, business, and history to show how solutions are not only possible but thriving.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced a two-year withdrawal of 165,000 acres in New Mexico's Upper Pecos Watershed from new mining claims.
Monarch butterflies will get federal protections as a threatened species to help combat their declining populations caused by climate change and habitat loss. The decision, which includes designating critical habitats in California, aims to preserve the iconic pollinator for future generations.
A newly announced ban on two cancer-causing chemicals, TCE and perc, will protect public health and the environment from their harmful effects. These regulations aim to eliminate their use in most applications within the next decade, paving the way for safer alternatives.
For the first time in over 20 years, the rare ‘alalā Hawaiian crow, once extinct in the wild, has been successfully reintroduced into Maui’s Kīpahulu Forest Reserve. Conservation efforts have grown the population from fewer than 20 in the late 1990s to over 110 today.
A cloned black-footed ferret has successfully given birth for the first time, introducing crucial genetic diversity to this endangered species and marking a breakthrough in conservation efforts.
EUROPE & THE UK
Spain has introduced "paid climate leave," allowing workers up to four days off during weather emergencies to avoid travel risks, following deadly floods in October that claimed at least 224 lives.
More than 75% of UK universities commit to fossil fuel divestment. With 115 of 149 institutions divesting £17.7bn from fossil fuels, this marks a victory for years of student and staff activism.
Saplings grown from seeds of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree will be planted across the UK in places of healing and inspiration, including Alder Hey Children's Hospital, a motor neurone disease center honoring Rob Burrow, and a community garden under London’s Westway.
A rewilding project near Perth, Scotland, transformed barren barley fields into thriving wildflower meadows, boosting the bumblebee population 116-fold in just two years! With 84 plant species now attracting pollinators, this vibrant comeback shows how giving nature a chance can bring buzzing biodiversity to life.
London Fashion Week will ban crocodile and snake skins from its runways in 2025, leading the world’s major fashion weeks toward more ethical and sustainable practices.
The EU reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 8.3% in 2023, the largest drop in decades (except 2020), driven by a surge in renewable energy and a move away from coal, proving that economic growth and emission cuts can go hand-in-hand.
Scotland is set to introduce a groundbreaking Ecocide Prevention Bill in 2025, which could jail executives of companies causing severe environmental damage for up to 20 years, making it the first UK region to adopt such stringent measures.
Renewable energy is set to surpass fossil fuels as the UK's primary power source for the first time in 2024, with wind, solar, and hydropower expected to generate 37% of electricity compared to fossil fuels' 35%, showcasing the nation's rapid progress in clean energy.
Norway has paused its controversial deep-sea mining plans after political and environmental pressure, marking a win for conservationists concerned about the impact on marine life, while the government continues studying the potential risks and regulations.
The EPA has approved a $319 million loan to Portland, Oregon, to improve its drinking water system with a new filtration facility, ensuring safer water for nearly 1 million residents, creating 6,100 jobs, and promoting equity through workforce diversity initiatives.
A French agrivoltaics company reported 2024 trials showing grape yields under solar panels increased by 20% to 60%, with Chardonnay achieving the highest gain. The panels optimized the microclimate, reducing irrigation needs, protecting against frost, and enhancing wine quality by preserving acidity and improving aroma profiles.
Paris will remove 60,000 parking spaces by 2030, replacing them with green spaces, including tree-lined streets and "oasis squares" in each arrondissement. Alongside pedestrian-friendly initiatives and cooling strategies like reflective roofs and neighborhood cooling centers, the plan underscores the city's commitment to reducing emissions and combating urban heat islands.
France will now require parking lots over 1,500 sqm to install solar canopies, covering at least 50% of their area by 2026 for larger lots and 2028 for smaller ones. Non-compliance could result in annual fines of up to €40,000.
NitroVolt, a Denmark-based startup, has developed a renewable-powered device that produces ammonia fertilizer directly on farms, bypassing traditional methods reliant on natural gas.
An Economist article challenges widespread assumptions about the cost of decarbonizing the global economy, arguing that it will be cheaper than we think. The article suggests the incremental cost of achieving a 2°C warming limit could be less than 1% of global GDP annually, aided by innovations like falling solar and battery costs.
A new plug-in solar system available in Germany, France, Austria, Poland, and Spain, lets people easily add up to 6 kW of solar power and battery storage to their homes without needing an electrician, making clean energy more affordable and accessible.
GLOBAL
Scientists have discovered a cyanobacterium called "Chonkus" in volcanic ocean vents that naturally absorbs high amounts of CO2, offering promise for carbon capture if its DNA can be engineered to enhance its abilities.
One of the positive outcomes from this year’s COP29 conference was the EU and 25 countries, including Canada and Germany, committing to no new unabated coal power in their climate plans.
Scientists in China have developed a cotton-and-squid-bone sponge capable of removing up to 99.9% of microplastics from water, a scalable innovation that could revolutionize efforts to tackle global plastic pollution.
Ecuador has launched a $1 billion "debt-for-nature" bond to fund Amazon rainforest conservation, marking its second innovative initiative after a record-breaking Galapagos debt swap. This move aims to redirect savings from reduced debt costs toward preserving one of the world's most critical ecosystems.
Suzanne Simard, renowned ecologist and creator of the "Mother Tree Project," is leading efforts to reform logging practices by emphasizing the importance of preserving old-growth "mother trees" and their underground fungal networks, which are vital for forest health and carbon sequestration. Her groundbreaking research has redefined how we view forests, advocating for sustainable forestry methods to combat climate change and protect these interconnected ecosystems.
The UNDP Turkmenistan initiative, TurkmenYouth4SDGs, has empowered young people to tackle societal challenges, linking global SDGs with local issues like gender equality and climate action. This youth-driven movement is transforming mindsets, breaking barriers, and fostering leadership to build a more inclusive and sustainable Turkmenistan.
Scientists are testing nutrient-infused tiles to enhance coral immunity against stressors like warming oceans and storms. Embedded in an artificial reef, promising lab results are showing an increased coral resilience to heat stress.
China's ultra-high-voltage (UHV) electricity grid, dubbed the "bullet train for power," has revolutionized long-distance energy transmission, enabling efficient delivery of clean energy like wind and solar from remote areas to densely populated cities. The UHV model offers valuable insights for global energy transitions, balancing centralized mega grids with localized solutions like microgrids.
A new $50 million global project is helping cities share and implement proven solutions for challenges like pollution, housing, and climate adaptation, providing grants, technical support, and connections to improve urban living worldwide.
