By: Victoria Vacher

In the midst of all the difficulties that 2020 had to offer, there were many encouraging stories that emerged as well. 

Eternal optimist that I am, it seems only right to focus on the positive environmental developments and trends that emerged and continue to emerge.

In no particular order and in short synopsis form-some good things from 2020/21…

· Of great importance to us, the problematic Atlantic Coast Pipeline was canceled. Other detrimental fossil fuel projects have been ended as well.

· Nearly 48 species of animals, birds, reptiles, etc. were rescued from the brink of extinction.

· The pandemic has awakened worldwide awareness of ‘One Health’ connecting environmental destruction to human/wildlife health.

· Interest is up for renewable energy and down for fossil fuels.

· America gained a new national park in West Virginia. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

· Around the world Nepal, Myanmar, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, etc. new conservation areas were created and financed.

· Congress passed the ‘Great American Outdoors Act’. Dedicating funding to national parks and providing permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

· Countries all around the world made important net-zero climate pledges: including China’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2060.

· Environmental rollbacks that would negatively have impacted the environment have been reversed.

· Many more advances in equality, medicine, plastic remediation and so much more are also underway.

I want to believe human awareness of the nature connection is improving and will soon be standard operating procedures!