An overarching theme about the media coverage of environmentalism is the constant stream of bad news. While it is necessary to highlight the difficult problems climate change creates, the seemingly endless stream of bad news can speak feelings of hopelessness in individuals. However, among the myriad of scientific studies that project doom and gloom, there are examples of progress.

This page is a compilation of various events and studies that show while there is a long way to go to end global warming, important progress has been made. While not a comprehensive list of all positive news, these examples demonstrate our collective ability to protect the planet.

• Scientific studies have reported that the hole in the ozone layer is healing. Since the 1987 ban on CFCs (chemicals in spray cans and refrigerants), the ozone has progressively improved and has the potential to fully recover. (Nature)

• Tristan da Cunha, the most remote human settlement in the world, decided to permanently ban fishing and other “extractive activities” in 627,247 square miles of ocean around the island. This will help protect millions of seabirds, along with countless species of fish, penguin, dolphins, and whales. (Associated Press)

• A Dutch court ordered the oil and gas company Shell to cut their greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. (Reuters)

• The world’s seven largest advanced economies, known as the G7, have agreed to stop international funding for coal projects by the end of this year. The G7 has further plans to extend this commitment to other fossil fuel sources as well. (Reuters)

• All six major United States banks have pledged to not finance drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Without financial support from JP Morgan Chase, Citi, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley, it will be incredibly difficult for oil companies to drill in one of the largest wildlife refuge’s in the world. (The Hill)

• The European Union passed a law for the continent to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. (BBC)

• The United States’ largest coal miners union said it would support President Biden’s ideas to move away from coal. The coal miners’ union is willing to accept decarbonization plans as long as coal miners are trained and hired for new clean energy jobs. (AP News)

• Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced a pledge to donate 10 billion dollars to climate change causes through his newly created Earth Fund. The Earth Fund announced its inaugural grants of almost 800 million dollars to 16 major environmental nonprofits. (CNBC)

• In a landmark vote, Exxon Mobile shareholders elected 2 environmental activists to the Company Board who will work towards leading the oil and gas company to a clean energy future. (New York Times)

• Government officials announced that The New York State Pension Fund, worth 226 Billion dollars, will divest from all fossil fuels by 2025 and decarbonize by 2040. It becomes one of the largest pension funds in the world to remove fossil fuels from its investment portfolio. (Gizmodo)

• In 2019, the United States consumed more energy from renewable sources than coal for the first time since the 19th century. This follows a multi-year trend of increasing renewable energy generation and a simultaneous decrease in coal dependency. (EIA.gov)

• Wales is currently planting over 5 million Euros worth of trees spanning the length of the country. The goal of the project is to create a National Forest spanning the length of Wales. (BBC)

• Denmark officially announced that they will permanently end new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. Not only will Denmark not grant new oil or gas permits anymore, but all current oil and gas extraction must end forever by 2050. (The Wall Street Journal)

• Fracking was permanently banned throughout the entire 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin. This permanent ban on fracking will help protect the drinking water of 17 million people and protect a crucial East Coast habitat for various types of fish and Bald Eagles. (EcoWatch)

• The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced increased protection of 600 miles of rivers and waterways. The state government implemented the strictest Clean Water Act standards possible for non-National Park land. (NJDEP)

• With over 61% support, Chevron shareholders passed a resolution forcing the oil and gas company to cut its greenhouse gas emissions (The Guardian)

• A scientific study in Plos One found that 78% of marine animal species surveyed saw significant population growth after receiving Endangered Species Act protections. Different species of sea turtles, manatees, and whales have all seen substantial population increases. (Plos One)

• TreeSisters, a British based nonprofit, has planted 2.2 million total trees annually for the past several years across Kenya, Madagascar, Nepal, Brazil and Cameroon. ( The Guardian)

• Scientists have confirmed that the endangered California Condor has returned to Sequoia National Park for the first time in almost 50 years, as the species continues to see a slow, but encouraging, rise in population again. (The LA Times)

• Governor Gavin Newsome signed an order banning the sale of gasoline and diesel powered cars in California starting in 2035. The goal of the order is to bolster the market for environmentally-friendly electric vehicles while also reducing carbon emissions. (The Wall Street Journal)

• A coalition of major hydropower and river conservation stakeholders issued a joint statement to work in conjunction to bolster hydroelectric dams while simultaneously increasing ecological conservation measures. This is the first time in history that major hydroelectric and conservation organizations, who usually oppose one another, are working together to solve issues for both parties in an attempt to combat climate change. The parties will work together to find joint solutions to decarbonize the U.S. electrical system and restore important water ecosystems. (Stanford University)