Climate anxiety is very real, but these good news stories from 2024 prove there is hope for our planet.
ADVERTISEMENTEco-anxiety, climate doom, environmental existential dread – as green journalists, we see these terms used a lot – and often feel them ourselves.
While there’s a lot to be worried about when it comes to the climate and nature crises, we must not lose hope – because hopelessness breeds apathy.
The media has an important role to play in combatting climate doom. It’s our job to be truthful and accurate in our reporting, not trying to downplay or greenwash the situation. But it’s also our job to show that there is hope.
In 2023, as part of our ongoing effort to tackle eco-anxiety (both that of our readers and our own), we kept track of all the positive environmental news throughout the year. We racked up over 200 stories of eco-innovation, green breakthroughs and climate wins – more than double the number in 2022 and a sure sign of momentum.
In 2024, we’re confident the good news will keep on coming, as renewable power soars, vulnerable ecosystems gain rights, and climate protocols start to pay dividends.
This article will be regularly updated with the latest good news. It may be something small and local, something silly that made us smile, or something enormous and potentially world-changing.
If you come across a great, positive story that we haven’t covered here – please reach out to us on Instagram or X to share your ideas.
Positive environmental stories from June 2024
Clean energy: Portugal will begin building its largest wind farm early next year
A new wind farm in Portugal has obtained environmental approval from the government – and once built it will become the country’s largest.
Renewable energy company Iberdrola will integrate the plant into the Tâmega pumped-storage hydro complex in northern Portugal.
The new wind farm will have a capacity of 274 MW, able to support the annual consumption of 128,000 homes.
‘A momentous day for nature’: EU approves first-of-its-kind law that could bring back biodiversity
After months of deliberations, the EU’s Nature Restoration Law has finally been approved.
The first-of-its-kind regulation aims to restore Europe’s damaged ecosystems and boost biodiversity.
Its goal is to restore at least 20 per cent of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all degraded ecosystems by 2050.
Rare wild horses back on Kazakhstan’s Golden Steppe after being saved from extinction
For the first time in at least 200 years, wild Przewalski’s horses have returned to Kazakhstan’s Golden Steppe.
These are the last truly wild horses left on Earth whose habitats were wiped out by farming and other human activity.
Now, Prague Zoo has restored them to their original home in the plains of Central Asia.
‘The time of the whole car city is over’: How is Paris encouraging walking and cycling?
From big picnics to car-free days and new cycle lanes, Paris is speeding ahead with sustainable transport…
Read More: Nature restoration, rewilding and battery innovations: Positive
