15 Climate Wins in 2022
This month, I wanted to share resources filled with a bit of climate optimism because life is hard and we all need moments of happiness! While educating ourselves about climate issues is incredibly important for taking meaningful action, it can be quite draining.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
Helen Keller
This quote really resonates with me. Doom scrolling on social media is genuinely a real issue for me! That being said, having hope is what spurs me into taking action and climate wins like the ones below inspire me to keep going. There are so many incredible activists in every field working to make a difference. It is important to amplify their work as much as possible!
Read below for 15 climate wins that we have seen so far in 2022, as well as my favorite hopeful book, podcast and film.
Climate Wins
If you want to read more about each climate win, just click on the linked article in the parentheses!
1. Shark fishing was banned in Hawaii. (Hawaii.gov)
2. The Biden administration ordered the U.S to stop financing new carbon-intense projects abroad. (Boston Globe)
3. California rolled out a statewide composting mandate. (LA Times) and adopted the first-in-nation microplastics reduction policy. (The Hill)
4. The largest battery recycling plant in North America is opening in Georgia. (Georgia.gov)
5. Giraffe populations have risen by 20% in Africa since 2015. (National Geographic)
6. A California Redwood forest has officially been returned to a group of native tribes. (NPR)
7. Florida governor Ron DeSantis has pledged $1B for water quality projects in the Everglades. (News Break)
8. The renewal of mineral rights for a copper-nickel mine in Minnesota was canceled. (Washington Post)
9. Costa Rica has increased their marine protected areas from 2.7% to 30%. (National Geographic)
10. The EPA is giving $14 million to climate justice projects around the country. (EPA)
11. Honduras bans open-pit mining. (BBC)
12. Auction to build wind farms raises a record $4.37 billion and will power 2 million homes. (CNBC)
13. Millions of mangrove trees to be planted in Mozambique. (BBC)
14. Protections for gray wolves restored across much of the U.S.! (NPR)
15. Biggest power plant in coal-reliant Australia to close early! (BBC)
More hopeful resources!
Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World by Katharine Hayhoe
This uplifting book paints a case for how and why collective action can enact change. The book teaches you how to interpret climate information, as well as how to have a conversation about it!
How to Survive the End of the World
This sibling hosted podcast explores the themes of resilience and action in the climate movement. They discuss tools for handling eco-anxiety, and feature inspiration guest speakers.
The Year Earth Changed
This documentary explores some of the effects that Covid-19 has had on the environment so far. This short film gave me hope after a pretty cruddy year. It is amazing to see how resilient nature truly is.
If this article gave you some hope for the day, share it with your friends and family to help spread some climate optimism!
