Good News Index
Attitudes are Changing
12/24/23 Majority of people in U.S. now see climate change as a real issue
6/3/22 Conservatives in North Carolina want to address climate change
2/20/23 ⅔ of westerners in the U.S. want 100% clean energy
2/13/24 “Talking Climate with Conservatives” Podcast episode 5 with guest Michael Jeffries where hosts and guest find common ground in their values.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/ypyh5
1/12/24 Talking to people about climate change, even if you don’t know everything, makes a big difference. Protect the planet for the next generation.
B
Biodiversity
8/23/23 Brazil’s Amazon deforestation has decreased by 60% & Ecuador has voted to protect biodiversity hotspot, Yasuni National park, from oil drilling
1/3/23 U.N., China, and Canada join together in the Conference of Parties to set biodiversity goals for 2030 including the protection and/or rehabilitation of 30% of lands, oceans, waters, coastal areas and more
12/5/22 Brazil’s president elect, Lula, vows to protect the rainforest https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/a-potpourri-of-hope-cop27-earthshot-coral-wheat-and-happy-computer-scenarios
5/6/24 Mexican forests that are managed by communities store more CO2, have fewer wildfires, and hold more biodiversity than those managed by the government or private firms. Deforestation is lower, and forestry has helped to alleviate poverty.
C
Clean Energy:
2/20/23 ⅔ of westerners in the U.S. want 100% clean energy https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/even-in-red-states-westerners-want-clean-energy-and-conservation
1/11/24 U.S. is surpassing clean energy goals https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/renewable-energy-capacity-could-more-than-double-by-2030/
U.S. gets three times the amount of energy from clean sources compared to 10 years ago https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/what-can-be-done
12/14/22 Renewable energy ramping up faster than we thought https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/we-are-ramping-up-renewable-energy-faster-than-we-imagined-possible
1/12/24 U.S. & Germany replace coal-produced power for solar amidst economic growth
10/25/23 International Energy Agency says half the world’s energy will be clean by 2030 https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/we-are-on-the-way-to-half-clean-energy-by-2030-and-suggestions-for-news-resources
10/20/23 Zero emissions vehicles associated with cleaner air and fewer asthma flare-up related hospital visits
8/30/23 Use of fossil fuels for energy in the E.U. is way down in 2023
6/25/24 300K jobs have been created because of the Inflation Reduction Act, over 90K of which are in Republican - held districts
6/24/24 June is the 13th month in a row to set record high temps. Stay safe and cool. U.S. passed bipartisan bill, the Advance Act, will increase nuclear power output. While not very popular or eco friendly, it does produce power without producing greenhouse gas.
4/9/24 The Inflation Reduction Act has supplied many billions of dollars toward environmental improvements like renewable energy, clean technology, improving public health, and decreasing air pollution.
3/17/24 in 2023, renewable energy comprised over 50% of new energy capacity; mostly solar. Germany has reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 53% from 1990 levels.
2/26/24 When considering how to permit and pay for grid infrastructure to accommodate solar expansion, it costs less than half as much to update existing power lines with a maintenance permit than it would to build new lines with new permits.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/leun4fd9bgewn18zrybwrfwbok2i74 (there’s no photo & a photo credit)
2/1/24 In a big check to the dirty energy sector, Biden has paused the permitting process for new natural gas projects for review. Some studies have found natural gas, after all is said and done, to cause more greenhouse gas emissions than coal. This puts us into better alignment with COP28 and Paris Agreement climate goals.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/63i37v6btmplg1tuhbmqq0w6wjghh6
1/12/24 In 2023 greenhouse gas emissions were reduced in the US while the economy grew. Minnesota is replacing the midwest’s largest coal fired power plant with the midwest’s largest solar farm.
12/30/23 Lots of good news in 2023: almost 40% of global energy production is renewable or nuclear, coal-fired electricity production is down 42% from 2011 peak, and more.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/xhluqkq3oq8rn5ake5mbm30x4po2d5
7/19/24 30% of global energy was renewables in 2023, mostly solar, much in China; electric vehicle (EV) sales are up, public fast chargers for EVs are being installed in the US.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/2023-was-strong-for-renewable-energy-electric-vehicles-and-fast-chargers
Climate Change:
5/20/24 Stubborn optimism like the mother Wildebeest is possibly the best perspective of Climate Change
More people support climate policy than you think - also as reported in Nature
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/personal-actions & https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-32412-y
Inflation Reduction Act Summary .pdf – provides billions for climate solutions –
12/2/23: Oil companies are on board with reducing Methane pollution in accordance with EPA regulation
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/1hiad2uyymg6uo8mzukmmxsdsdag6w
3/7/23 UN passes “High Seas Treaty” protecting 30% of oceans and their biodiversity & Irish people more concerned with climate change than people from the U.S.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/yay-ireland-and-oceans
1/3/23 U.S.P.S. was prevented from buying gas guzzling trucks & will be zero emissions by 2026
12/5/22 230 potential scenarios could keep our planet below 1.5 degrees C below pre industrial levels https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/a-potpourri-of-hope-cop27-earthshot-coral-wheat-and-happy-computer-scenarios
9/23/22 Bipartisan amendment to the 1987 Montreal Protocol will reduce hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions by 85% over 14 years. This could reduce global warming by up to 0.5 degrees Celsius, that’s a big deal! https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/senate-ratifies-climate-action-in-bipartisan-vote
8/16/22 The Inflation Reduction Act has passed. Provides $368B for Climate Change & Classifies CO2 as a pollutant. Links to more info.https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/blog-post-title-one-lny4d
6/13/24 The replacement of CFC’s with HCFC’s and HFC’s has enabled much of our ozone layer to heal by decreasing ozone depletion although not erradicating it, and unfortunately they are still contributing to climate change as greenhouse gasses, but Biden has signed on to the Montreal Protocol and will reduce our output of these chemicals
5/6/24 Swiss Senior Women for Climate Protection set a legal precedent for all 46 member states in Europe that governments are obligated to protect their citizens from climate change on the basis of human rights.
4/9/24 The Inflation Reduction Act has supplied many billions of dollars toward environmental improvements like renewable energy, clean technology, improving public health, and decreasing air pollution.
1/12/24 Talking to people about climate change, even if you don’t know everything, makes a big difference. Protect the planet for the next generation.
D
Diet
Grass-fed beef reduces carbon footprint over conventional beef https://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/new-study-finds-grass-fed-beef-reduces-carbon-footprint
Eating chicken instead of beef produces 10 times less GHG per pound
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/what-can-be-done (THE LINK TO “PERSONAL ACTIONS” PAGE IS BROKEN ck luc fixed)
Raising chickens in the backyard reduces carbon footprint
https://blueandgreentomorrow.com/environment/sustainable-living-with-backyard-chickens/
9/22/23 EPA will no longer be derelict in their duties to enforce the Endangered Species Act & it will now be testing pesticides for safety
2/17/23 A few changes in diet and around the home can extend life
2/17/23 Diet and Lifestyle changes work together to increase your longevity
Deforestation
9/23/23 Brazil’s Amazon deforestation has decreased by 60% & Ecuador has voted to protect biodiversity hotspot, Yasuni National park, from oil drilling.
6/8/23 Lawsuits have been filed against PFAS polluters like 3M to ensure cleanup & No-Till farming results in healthier soils and more soil carbon storage, models show feasibility for widespread use & Brazil makes effort to reduce deforestation
12/5/22 Brazil’s president elect, Lula, vows to protect the rainforest
11/17/22 President elect of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva promises to limit deforestation and degradation of the Amazon to as close to zero as possible and to protect indigenous people and their territories. https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/brazil-is-back
5/6/24 Mexican forests that are managed by communities store more CO2, have fewer wildfires, and hold more biodiversity than those managed by the government or private firms. Deforestation is lower, and forestry has helped to alleviate poverty.
4/5/24 Presidents of Brazil and France have dedicated 1 billion Euros to protect the Amazon rainforest in Brazil for the next four years
F
Funding for solutions:
Inflation Reduction Act Summary .pdf – provides billions for climate solutions –
12/5/22 Prince William and Catherine came to Boston to donate $1.2 million to fund projects fighting many types of environmental degradation https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/a-potpourri-of-hope-cop27-earthshot-coral-wheat-and-happy-computer-scenarios
4/9/24 The Inflation Reduction Act has supplied many billions of dollars toward environmental improvements like renewable energy, clean technology, improving public health, and decreasing air pollution.
Farming
9/22/23 EPA will no longer be derelict in their duties to enforce the Endangered Species Act & it will now be testing pesticides for safety & how Indigenous Amazonians created rich soil
6/8/23 Lawsuits have been filed against PFAS polluters like 3M to ensure cleanup & No-Till farming results in healthier soils and more soil carbon storage, models show feasibility for widespread use & Brazil makes effort to reduce deforestation
12/5/22 New drought resistant wheat variety has been developed that will be planted in Morocco where they have been in a decades long drought https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/a-potpourri-of-hope-cop27-earthshot-coral-wheat-and-happy-computer-scenarios
H
Home choices
Using a bidet reduces forest clear cutting demand and uses less water -
https://www.nrdc.org/bio/jennifer-skene/toilet-paper-driving-climate-crisis-every-flush & https://yuzumag.com/are-bidets-eco-friendly/ ( I could provide you with information to support writing an article about how bidets use less water and the tree processing that goes into TP. We could even throw in a bit about human and ecosystem services that forests provide.)
2/17/23 A few changes in diet and around the home can extend life
3/22/24 Taking action doesn’t take much. You can make a difference with simple things.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/akf6a3hyioaepz1741b5lqa3sfk68s
Health
4/9/24 The Inflation Reduction Act has supplied many billions of dollars toward environmental improvements like renewable energy, clean technology, improving public health, and decreasing air pollution.
4/5/24 The FDA has announced that PFAS used in grease proofing agents in food packaging will no longer be sold in the US. CA, CO, and VT are all moving toward banning PFAS in menstrual products.
I
Indigenous
10/22/23 EPA will no longer be derelict in their duties to enforce the Endangered Species Act & it will now be testing pesticides for safety & how Indigenous Amazonians created rich soil
2/10/23 Canadian federal, provincial, and indigenous governance unite to protect and conserve biodiversity in the Great Bear Sea - the first time in history that multiple indigenous and non-indegenous leadership organizations have united to protect a marine area.
L
Legislation
8/16/22 Best climate legislation in a decade has passed; ‘the Inflation Reduction Act’
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/blog-post-title-one-lny4d
Inflation Reduction Act Summary .pdf – provides billions for climate solutions --
5/12/23 Supreme court decision allows lawsuits against fossil fuel companies to be held in state courts, lawsuits are cropping up to hold them accountable for denying their role in climate change and more
2/10/23 Canadian federal, provincial, and indigenous governance unite to protect and conserve biodiversity in the Great Bear Sea - the first time in history that multiple indigenous and non-indegenous leadership organizations have united to protect a marine area.
12/5/22 EU aims towards a legally binding health and environmentally focused circular plastic economy by 2025. In the US, a bill was submitted which requires the EPA to protect communities against plastic pollution. https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/can-we-end-global-plastic-pollution-in-20-years
4/9/24 The Inflation Reduction Act has supplied many billions of dollars toward environmental improvements like renewable energy, clean technology, improving public health, and decreasing air pollution.
3/8/24 EU parliament passed a new law that would ultimately restore 90% of natural habitats and ecosystems by 2050. Yet to be approved by member states.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/restoring-european-ecosystems
2/23/24 Studies show that plastic bag bans have been effective at reducing plastic litter. While California saw an increase in weight of plastic bags used per person due to allowing heavier bags for reuse, New Jersey eliminated the use of 5.5 billion plastic bags annually.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/plastic-bag-bans
O
Ocean
3/7/23 UN passes “High Seas Treaty” protecting 30% of oceans and their biodiversity & Irish people more concerned with climate change than people from the U.S.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/yay-ireland-and-oceans
2/10/23 Canadian federal, provincial, and indigenous governance unite to protect and conserve biodiversity in the Great Bear Sea - the first time in history that multiple indigenous and non-indegenous leadership organizations have united to protect a marine area.
12/5/22 Latest efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef off coast of Australia include coral spawning in an offshore nursery
P
PFAS
.pdf: EPA received over $10 billion for PFAS and PFOS testing, monitoring, cleanup, and water pollution prevention
6/8/23 Lawsuits have been filed against PFAS polluters like 3M to ensure cleanup & No-Till farming results in healthier soils and more soil carbon storage, models show feasibility for widespread use & Brazil makes effort to reduce deforestation
5/22/23 Several states are moving toward or have already banned PFAS, and companies are moving away from using them in products
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/pfas-and-plastic-updates
Plastic
Participating in a circular economy can reduce plastic pollution by 80% by 2040 -
https://www.unep.org/resources/turning-off-tap-end-plastic-pollution-create-circular-economy
1/3/23 U.N. joined an international treaty to end plastic pollution in 20 years
1/16/23 A Dutch nonprofit “Ocean Cleanup” is working with cities across the globe to dispatch trash interceptors for use near river outlets to prevent trash from entering the ocean at large. By May 2023, the Los Angeles Interceptor collected 77 tons of plastic!
12/5/22 EU aims towards a legally binding health and environmentally focused circular plastic economy by 2025. In the US, a bill was submitted which requires the EPA to protect communities against plastic pollution. https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/can-we-end-global-plastic-pollution-in-20-years
2/23/24 Studies show that plastic bag bans have been effective at reducing plastic litter. While California saw an increase in weight of plastic bags used per person due to allowing heavier bags for reuse, New Jersey eliminated the use of 5.5 billion plastic bags annually.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/plastic-bag-bans
Pollution
12/2/23: Oil companies are on board with reducing Methane pollution in accordance with EPA regulations
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/1hiad2uyymg6uo8mzukmmxsdsdag6w
9/22/23 EPA will no longer be derelict in their duties to enforce the Endangered Species Act & it will now be testing pesticides for safety & how Indigenous Amazonians created rich soil
7/19/23 France fights fast fashion
4/13/23 Chinese salt-based batteries could help reduce demand for expensive lithium
1/3/23 U.N. joined an international treaty to end plastic pollution in 20 years
4/15/24 Podcast episode 6 about the success story of closing the ozone hole in the stratosphere
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/ypyh6
2/23/24 Studies show that plastic bag bans have been effective at reducing plastic litter. While California saw an increase in weight of plastic bags used per person due to allowing heavier bags for reuse, New Jersey eliminated the use of 5.5 billion plastic bags annually.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/plastic-bag-bans
TKTK
Sites or topics I added that are not in YPYH:
Participating in a circular economy can reduce plastic pollution by 80% by 2040 -
https://www.unep.org/resources/turning-off-tap-end-plastic-pollution-create-circular-economy
EPA received over $10 billion for PFAS and PFOS testing, monitoring, cleanup, and water pollution prevention -
Grass-fed beef reduces carbon footprint - https://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/new-study-finds-grass-fed-beef-reduces-carbon-footprint
Raising chickens in the backyard reduces carbon footprint -
https://blueandgreentomorrow.com/environment/sustainable-living-with-backyard-chickens/
Using a bidet reduces clear cutting of forests and uses less water -
https://www.nrdc.org/bio/jennifer-skene/toilet-paper-driving-climate-crisis-every-flush & https://yuzumag.com/are-bidets-eco-friendly/ (yuzumag.com is not a great source for connecting these issues, but it’s important because wood pulp demand for TP is driving clear cutting and biodiversity loss. Plus TP uses More water than bidets, production and shipping/ oil extraction.)
Vote
5/13/24 Vote for the Environment
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/vote-for-the-environment
3/22/24 Taking action doesn’t take much. You can make a difference with simple things.
https://www.planetaryhealthforbusypeople.com/whats-now-and-whats-new/akf6a3hyioaepz1741b5lqa3sfk68s
Suggestions
In articles where multiple topics are covered or in longer stretches of text, include subheading with larger font and bolded key phrases or 1-sentence summary to help people who are not trying to read every single word, but rather who are trying to skim for the highlights.
