Positive environmental news:
5 reasons to be hopeful

Finding positive environmental news can sometimes feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Go to any news outlet – or anywhere where information is shared – and it’s almost impossible to escape the barrage of bad news. 

Sadly, when it comes to the environment, there’s a lot of bad news to report. And these stories are important. But that’s not the only reason our feeds are full of negative news.

Bad news grabs our attention for a reason: it’s designed to. It triggers our survival instincts, alerting us to potential dangers. In the digital age, it’s also good clickable content. Doomsday predictions are a profitable industry. 

While we need to be aware of the challenges facing our planet, an excessive focus on negativity can lead to despair and inaction. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. On the other hand, constructive, positive environmental news that focuses on solutions can remind us of what’s possible, and give us a reason to take action.

The power of positive environmental news

Positive news stories can play an important role in influencing our outlook – and behavior. When we hear about successful environmental initiatives, innovative solutions and tangible progress, we are more likely to believe that our actions can make a difference.

Positive environmental news shifts the narrative from one of inevitable doom to one of potential and possibility. This sense of agency can be a powerful motivator, as well as an antidote to the paralysis that often accompanies eco-anxiety.

And despite the scale of the challenges we face, there is actually a lot of good news, if you know where to look. Part of the challenge is that good news is often about slow, gradual improvements, so it can be easy to miss. That’s why we started our Good News series to highlight the positive climate stories that get buried beneath the negative headlines.

Here are five positive environmental news stories that caught our eye lately, that you might have missed.

1. Four out of five people globally want stronger action on the environment 

One of the effects of eco-anxiety is that many people feel alone in their concerns about the planet. Here’s a statistic that might help: 80% of people globally want their country to do more on climate change. In the US it’s 66%. In Nigeria it’s 85%. In the UK it’s 84%.

These are the findings of a recent United Nations survey. It is the largest standalone survey on climate change and covers 77 countries that represent 87% of the world’s population. The survey also showed that 86% of people globally want countries to put differences aside to tackle climate change. 

Politicians are currently lagging behind public opinion. So, if you care about protecting the planet for future generations, make sure your leaders know about it.

2. Renewable energy growth has outpaced fossil fuels 

The shift towards renewable energy is another bright spot on the environmental horizon. Solar and wind power are more affordable than ever, and their adoption is accelerating.

In 2023, global capacity of renewable energy increased by 50%, the fastest growth rate in the past two decades. In 2024, renewable energy growth outpaced fossil fuels for the first time.

The case for new fossil fuel projects also took another hit. A study in the journal Science provides more evidence that we don’t need any new fossil fuel projects to meet energy demand, in line with targets to halt global warming.

Seven countries around the world now run almost entirely on renewable electricity. Albania, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Iceland, Nepal, Paraguay and the Democratic Republic of Congo are getting at least 99.7% of their energy from wind, solar, hydro or geothermal power. 

3. Deforestation in the Amazon at lowest level in five years

One of the most promising developments in environmental conservation is in support for forests. Forests not only sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide, but they also provide habitats for wildlife and improve air quality.

Countries around the world are taking steps to tackle deforestation and to restore deforested areas. 

In Brazil, deforestation of the Amazon slowed to the lowest level for five years in 2023. The world’s largest tropical rainforest experienced a 51% cut in deforestation in the 12-month period. President Lula’s reinstated conservation programs, strengthened environmental agencies and support for Indigenous rights are all making a difference.

4. The first carbon tax on agriculture – a step toward changing the way we eat

In a historic move, the government of Denmark announced in summer 2024 that from 2030, farmers will pay €16 per ton of carbon dioxide they emit. This fee will rise to €40 by 2035.

Charging farmers for the pollution they create is groundbreaking. But green groups say the tariff should be much higher to reflect the true impact of animal agriculture on the planet. To put it in perspective, ministers say that the initial €16 tariff would add about €0.15 to the cost of a pack of minced beef in the supermarket. Since prices are expected to rise more than that due to inflation anyway, shoppers will hardly notice.

The background to all this is that Denmark farms huge numbers of pigs and cows. The resulting pollution (released from soil, fertilizer and yes, cow burps) has a big impact on the climate. Other sectors of Denmark’s economy have managed to get their emissions down in the past few years. Now it’s agriculture’s turn.

5. Nature is now officially a musician (and earning royalties)

Beyond climate policy, there is also positive environmental news when it comes to nature’s profile in everyday life.

Through the Sounds Right project, musicians including AURORA, Ellie Goulding and London Grammar are making sure nature’s contribution to music gets recognized. They are giving conservation causes a cut of the streaming royalties for songs that include nature sounds.

The first chunk of money to be paid out will go to biodiversity projects in the forests of Colombia. As well as being a cool way to raise money, it’s also a bold challenge to the way we think about nature, what we take from it, and what we owe it back.

Positive environmental news: a virtuous circle

It makes sense that we pay attention to problems that need to be fixed. But that doesn’t have to mean ignoring things that are going well. Being aware of what’s getting better in the world can create a virtuous circle of inspiration and action. By highlighting solutions and success stories, positive environmental news provides a counterbalance to negative narratives and serves as a reminder that real progress is possible. Making that progress a reality, is up to us.