We have had a particularly difficult summer, spring and winter. Let us now take a break. Let us focus on some good news items that may have been overlooked. These aren’t necessarily. Resounding Although we still have a lot of work to do on all fronts, our successes demonstrate that hard work and persistence can help us get back on track just as greed or indifference can propel us towards it.
Bandicoot Crash Reversed This month, Eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunniiAustralia declared that the species was not extinct in the wild. This was an extremely rare conservation milestone. This is a significant change from 30 years ago when invasive cats and foxes had nearly eliminated all of these rabbit-sized marsupials. The species has seen a significant recovery thanks to captive-breeding programs, and reintroductions on predator-free island have been successful. The bandicoot population reached 1,500 in 2018, enough to make them merely endangered. Although they still have a lot of work to do before they can return to pre-fox levels, this is the best news for the month.
(PS. : Hey Australia, do the exact same thing with Protect endangered frogs.)
Mercury Falling We’ve known for a while that burning coal is bad for our health. new studyResearch shows that reducing mercury emissions has cardiovascular benefits for at least 80% of the population. 100 times moreThis is higher than the previous estimates. The EPA has been estimating the annual mercury reductions value at $6 million per year in lower healthcare and societal costs. But the new study puts that figure up to several. BillionsDollars per year
This is why this dangerous revelation is good news. It’s always good to find out what is causing harm so we can make a difference. This research has enormous potential for improving human health and should be used to encourage decarbonization of our economy, according to the researchers.
Despite these findings, almost all media coverage was limited to the subscription-only media. E&E News. It’s a shame. Let’s hope that the right people see this and incorporate the results into plans for a just transition to energy. They should also be involved in the EPA’s promise to review the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Trump administration has made it harder.
The Good News is Amazing:The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USA) announced a Status review of the gray Wolf (Canis lupus) in the western United States, which the Trump administration removed from the protection of the Endangered Species Act two days before the insurrection. This decision, which is full disclosure, was made in response to petitions from several conservation groups, including our publisher the Center for Biological Diversity. It comes as Idaho and Montana prepare massive wolf hunts. The Fish and Wildlife Service has not taken any action to stop these slaughters (which have already occurred). already startedIt is still a good news that the species protection could be restored.
(As long and we keep talking about it) This on-again, off -again protection for wolves is becoming more expensive in both blood- and treasure for U.S taxpayers as well as for the hundreds wolves that have been trapped and shot over the years. Perhaps if they are protected again, we can just keep this that way?
Kkp CodeNew research has revealed that the last 201 kkp (one of my favorite parrot species) is now in good health.Strigops habroptila Ensure your genetic health remains intactDespite centuries of inbreeding. The 50 remaining kkp today are descendants of the birds that were rescued from extinction and placed into a conservation breeding programme. However, the inbreeding began long before that, as the flightless island-loving birds lived in extreme isolation 10,000 years ago.
As strange as it may sound, this inbreeding could be the reason the species survived. It has basically already bred new mutations.
The second reason kkp survived? People. They are beloved by the public, and not only do they have a dedicated group of New Zealand conservationists who work to save them, but they also have a dedicated crew of New Zealand conservationists. This genetic work started with a Kickstarter campaign back in 2016When there were only 125 people alive, These two groups have been rewarded by the fact that the population grew so rapidly in the last five years, while we expanded our conservation knowledge.
Pahk, the Electric Cah in Hahvahd Yohd: After years of activism by alumni and students, Harvard University has finally announced its mega-rich status. It has rescinded its $40 billion endowment of fossil fuelsExcept for a few legacy investments that will soon be liquidated. Harvard laughed at activists who brought up the issue a decade back. Now it has set the example for other universities.
BREAKING NEWS: After a decade of constant pressure from students and faculty, and alums alike, @HARVARDDIVESTING FINALLY FROM FOSSIL FUELS.
It’s a huge victory for our community, the climate movement and the world, and a strike against power in the fossil fuel industry. (THREAD) pic.twitter.com/56yESznMMY
Fossil Fuel Divest Harvard (@DivestHarvard) September 9, 2021
Coals continue to decline:A report by three climate groups found that 75% of the planned new coal plants in the world have already been built. abandoned since the 2015 Paris climate accord a number that’s probably already even higher, since just a few days after the report came out China pledged that it would Stop building new coal plants in other countries.
China remains a major coal consumer within its borders. However, critics claim that the pledge was not complete. We will nevertheless take all victories.
(Let’s not forget to mention the counterpoint to this story: U.S. coal is Up 8.4% in this year’s editionAccording to data released by U.S. Energy Information Administration Sept. 23, it was. Sigh…)
Biodiversity is worth billionsA group deep-pocketed philanthropists pled for a collective this month $5 Billion over the next ten yearsThe largest ever charitable pledge to save biodiversity is to protect wildlife around the world. Theyve tied this Protecting Our Planet Challenge to the 30×30 initiative, which aims to set aside 30% of the globe for preservation by the year 2030.
There have yet been no announcements of grantees. It will be interesting to see how this develops, and how charities distribute their funds. One participant, The Bezos Earth Fund, was criticized. We ignore grassroots organizationsIn its first round of funding, it promised to prioritize the voices and frontline communities of Indigenous Peoples.
Cool News The EPA approved new rules this month to reduce the use and production of super-polluting substances HydrofluorocarbonsThe next 15 years will see a significant increase in HFC chemicals by 85%, which is a major win for both the Biden administration as well as the climate. HFC chemicals, used for refrigeration and air conditioning, have been identified as extremely potent greenhouse gasses that the international community has agreed not to regulate. big boostThe Trump administration (yeah again).
Next step: President Biden must ensure that the United States ratifies the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol. This amendment aims to reduce global HFC use enough so that there is no global warming of 0.5 degrees Celsius by the end century. (FYI: The Senate could ratify some other environmental treaties while they’re at it.
RIP to a Giant Scientists reported this month that Okefenokee Joe’s deathAfter swimming through the swamps of Georgia since World War II, an 11-and a-half-foot alligator died of old age.
Wait, is this the death of this huge beast in a list? Good news? It’s easy because he lived so many years! It is extremely rare for megafauna predators in this country, let alone to die from natural causes, to reach old age. Joe served to remind us of the possibilities when we protect habitats and the wildlife within them.
What’s Next? Are we likely to see more positive news in October? Yes, but it may take some digging. The infrastructure debate and other topics will continue to dominate the Beltway press for the next month. As we are still in the middle hurricane season, we can expect plenty of news coverage about extreme weather events. There will be a lot more buildup for United Nations Climate Change Conference.COP26) in Glasgow, which starts Oct. 31. We hope that it won’t be a disaster.
A celebration of the upcoming month will include California Clean Air Day, World Migratory Bird Day, and the simply-named Wombat Day.
What are you waiting for or watching in the months ahead of time? Drop us a line, good or bad, anytime.
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