The world’s climate scientists have warned there is only 12 years for global warming to be kept to a maximum of 1.5C, beyond which even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty. The end of humanity as we know it within the next 50 years is highly possible.
As humans, we have the amazing ability to adapt and evolve for the greater good. We are already slowly seeing a global paradigm shift in the direction of environmentalism and a call for policies that will save our planet.
Here are 10 Positive Things that Have Occurred Since the UN Climate Change Report
Portugal Ran Their Entire Country For A Month On Renewable Energy Sources Alone
Portugal generated enough renewable electricity that it surplussed the entire country’s consumption in the month of March. This amount of renewable energy meant that a total of 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 was averted from being released into the atmosphere.
1.8 million tonnes of C02 was averted thanks to Portugal’s renewable energy production
2. Coal Power Plants Will Be Non-Existent By 2035
20 Gigawatts of power from coal plants have been retired during the Trump administration compared to 15 during the Obama administration. This isn’t a political viewpoint. It just demonstrates the fact that while a leader opposed to environmentally savvy practice sits in office, coal plants continue to head towards obsoletion. Public outcry has an effect people.
Say goodbye to coal burning power plants by 2035.
3. Germany Produced Enough Renewable Energy To Power Every Household In The Country For An Entire Year
Germany's green power output has risen by 33% over the last three years. The country’s combined wind, solar, biomass and hydroelectric power output hit a record 104 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) between the months of January and June, enough to supply the whole country enough power for an entire year afterwards.
Germany can power their country for a year solely from renewable energy sources.
4. 'Patagonia' Donated $10 Million from trump’s Corporate Tax Cut to Fight Climate Change
Patagonia was allowed to save $10 million under the new United States federal carbon tax cuts this year. CEO Rose Marcario announced Patagonia won’t be holding onto the money. Instead, the company will donate $10 million to nonprofit environmental groups that are "committed to protecting air, land and water and finding solutions to the climate crisis." Poetic, and leadership we should all admire.
$10 Million Patagonia could have kept will be donated to environmental initiatives.
5. New York Removed its $189 Billion Dollar Pension Fund from Fossil Fuel Investment
New York City publicly announced a multibillion-dollar lawsuit against five top oil companies, citing their "contributions to global warming". The city will pull its fossil fuel investments from its $189-billion public pension funds over the next half-decade. This is a huge hit to the oil industry.
New York will divest its $189 Billion pension fund from fossil fuels.
6. NYC Schools are now doing "Meatless Mondays" in Cafeterias
1.1 million students will not eat meat during their lunch for 1 day of the week. The amount of energy required and emissions created from the livestock industry is more than all the automobiles on earth. By reducing students intake once a week, NYC schools will be making a positive impact and reducing their carbon footprint.
"Meatless Mondays" in NYC schools will drastically reduce students’ carbon footprint.
7. 'Lyft' has Gone Green
Users are now able to request electric or hybrid vehicles for their Lyft rides in a new feature called "Green Mode". Providing a green option for customers will create more incentive for drivers to go green and purchase environmentally friendly vehicles.
Lyft provides more incentive for riders and drivers to use green cars with new "Green Mode" option.
8. The Second Largest Coral Reef in the World has Come out of Endangerment
After being listed as endangered in 2009, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) was recently taken off the UNESCO “World Heritage in Danger” list. To protect the reef, the country introduced a ban on oil exploration along the entire coastline of the country in 2017. This should set an example of the power of collective action.
Thanks to the Belize government’s environmental action plan, the 2nd largest coral reef in the world is no longer endangered.
9. A Swiss Businessman has Decided to Contribute $1 Billion of his Fortune to Fight Climate Change
Hansjörg Wyss, a billionaire and conservationist announced that he will donate the money from his personal fortune over the next 10 years through his Wyss Foundation. This contribution is an attempt to save the planet's wild lands and waters from seemingly inevitable destruction. His goal is to help preserve 30% of the Earth’s natural state by 2030. Talk about leaving a legacy.
Hansjörg Wyss is leaving a lasting legacy, promising to contribute $1 Billion of his fortune to saving Earth.
10. China has Reduced its Air Pollution Nationwide by an Average of 32%
In 2014, the Chinese government stated they were "declaring war against pollution". 5 years later, the country is smashing their goal reducing air pollution by an average of 32%. New coal burning plants were banned in polluted areas, coal was replaced with natural gas, iron and steel manufacturing decreased, and coal boilers for heating were removed from people’s homes and businesses. Action plans WORK.
China has reduced their air pollution by 32% thanks to an aggressive action plan.