10 Reasons to Be Cheerful about the Environment

The news is filled with stories about the apocalyptic state of our environment – the earth is warming up, things are dying in droves, and we’re all basically doomed. It’s not all bad though, as we are making progress on many conservational and environmental fronts. So, give yourself a pat on the back, humanity – it turns out you’re not completely terrible. Here are 10 reasons to be cheerful about the environment…

1. The Ozone layer is showing signs of repair

The Earth’s protective layer would appear to be slowly healing itself. A ban of chlorofluorocarbons in 1987 appears to be the reason for this increase in sunblock.

1. Effects of banished pesticides are being reversed

The harmful pesticide DDT – used to control mosquitos and other insects – found its way into waterways in the 40s and 50s and poisoned bald eagle populations through their fish-based diet. Since this particularly nasty pesticide was banned in 1972, bald eagle populations are on the rise, with at least 9,789 pairs currently nesting in the USA – compared to only 487 at their lowest point.

1. We’ve made steps to clean up our air

Although there is far more that can be done in this respect, countries around the world have started to make steps towards cleaning up our air. According to the EPA, aggregate emissions of the six worst offending greenhouse gases has fallen by 62% in the United States between 1980 and 2013.

For more information about the Clean Air act, read: Clean Air – Still a Political Objective After 60 years.

1. More countries are committing to sustainable energy

By 2024 the world should be an altogether more sustainable place, thanks to the commitment of countries around the world to clean up their acts. Realising that fossil fuels are finite – but wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power is here to stay – energy companies are slowly turning green, in a good way.

1. Endangered animals are on the rise

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! It’s good news for some of the world’s most endangered animals, as many are slowly returning and inching towards being removed from the endangered species list. Nepal’s tiger population has increased by 60% in the past five years, while humpback whale populations in Brazil have tripled since 2002.

1. Acid rain is on the decline

Sulfur dioxide emissions have fallen by 60% across Europe, with the United States’ Clean Air Act achieving similar results.

1. Protected maritime areas on the rise

There has been a global increase in protected areas, with 12% of the land and 6% of the seas now under protected status. This handy web-based app will let you explore the world and its protected areas.

1. Open air nuclear tests are on their way out

The 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty was brought into play when the world got wise to the ramifications of nuclear fallout for civilian populations. Between 1945 and 1963, the USA carried out 434 nuclear tests, and it was decided this number was not sustainable. A complete ban in the form of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty came into play in 1996 – although China and the US have yet to sign it.  

1. Leaded fuel is a thing of the past

Thankfully we’ve grown wise to the risk of adding lead to our fuel, and now the number of children with elevated levels of the heavy metal in their blood has fallen from 88% in the late 70s to just 1% in the mid 00s.

1. Deforestation in the Amazon is slowing down

Often described as the lungs of the world, the Amazon rainforest suffered huge losses as a result of largely unregulated logging. From 2002 to 2012, Brazil cut their deforestation by half, you can read more about it in our article: Environmental legislation 'making a big difference in Brazil. Hurray, Earth!