Good News! 6 Positive Environmental Stories from July 2024

In 2023, deforestation sharply declined in Colombia, falling to its lowest levels in years — a 36% decrease in overall forest loss. 

A large portion of these decreases in forest cover were seen in the Amazon Rainforest, where much of the Colombian government is focusing on conservation efforts. These inspiring efforts show just how effective conservation and restoration can be.

As we continue to fight for our environment and restore what has been lost, we hope to see more of these big environmental wins around the world.

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone that doesn’t love sea turtles. Many of the world’s anti-plastic movements were started specifically to help them. 

Turns out, our passion for sea turtles might have made a difference. On the Gulf Coast of Florida, Anna Maria, a beautiful barrier island known for its broad beaches, has grounds to celebrate a milestone win for sea turtle conservation.

In early July, volunteers counted a total of 546 nests on the island, effectively breaking a 42-year record. This is a major win for conservation efforts in Anna Maria and for sea turtles alike!

As more and more clean energy solutions are developed around the world, Portugal is on a mission to build its largest wind farm by early next year. This wind farm will provide a tremendous amount of clean energy, and surrounding ecosystems will also be protected as part of the initiative.

This initiative will help plant fruit trees, restore ponds, and install nest boxes for bats, ensuring a more holistic approach to protecting and conserving the environment — while providing local communities with safe, clean energy. 

For years, scientists have feared that Millettia sacleuxii trees had gone extinct As botanist Andrea Bianchi was driving through the Nguru Mountains in eastern Tanzania, he spotted two of these long-lost trees.

Millettia sacleuxii trees were so rare that there isn’t an English name for them, but now scientists have found hope once again. Since Bianchi found the two trees in the Nguru Mountains, thousands of seeds have been collected and germinated to ensure the restoration of the species. 

The world’s largest rainforest is showing signs of promising restoration as deforestation continues to plummet despite a rise in fires. 

In the Brazilian Amazon, deforestation has dropped to its lowest level since March 2018, marking a substantial environmental gain for the world. While these numbers are certainly promising, fire rates across the Amazon are increasing, underscoring the amount of work that is still needed.

While some countries are still trying to figure out how to incorporate renewable energy, several others have already perfected it, utilizing 100% renewable sources of energy. 

With the climate fight well underway, a global shift to cleaner energy sources is crucial. At the forefront of this global shift are Albania, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Iceland, Nepal, Paraguay, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These countries, with their varied economic histories and geographically diverse landscapes, are testaments to the different pathways others can take to clean, renewable energy.