Dec.19

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Dem 47

   

GOP 53

This Week in Freudenfreude: Coal's Swan Song Is Coming

We like to use this space for good news on the environmental front, and a number of readers (thanks to you all!) sent us a piece from the BBC that runs down the most positive green developments of 2025. This seems an ideal place and time to run down the list:

• Renewables: As a group, renewables overtook coal as the world's #1 source of energy this year. Some say that's comparing apples to oranges (multiple renewables vs. just coal), but it's really not, because renewables are usually geographically delimited (e.g., wind will work in an area, but not water), while coal is not. The shift is driven by investments around the world, but particularly in China. Ultimately, renewables are not only more eco-friendly than coal, they have become cheaper. That's a tough one-two punch for coal to overcome. And if the U.S. ends its holdout (say, on January 20, 2029), the push for renewables will get another big boost.
  
  
• Oceans: The High Seas Treaty was negotiated in 2023, and in 2025, it was ratified by enough countries to bring it into force. Previously, just 1% of the world's oceans were designated for protection of habitats, species and healthy marine ecosystems. Now, it will be 30%.
  
  
• Forests: Brazil, which is Ground Zero for deforestation by virtue of being home to the Amazon basin, is trying hard to end the practice by 2030, and has made some significant progress. Worldwide, deforestation was down 38% from 2015-25, as compared to 1990-2000.
  
  
• Lawsuits: The International Court of Justice ruled that countries are now allowed to sue each other for environmental damages. This ruling is basically advisory, and is not binding on any court that does not choose to recognize it, but it does make an important statement.
  
  
• Endangered Species: A number of species are backing off from the brink of extinction. That includes several turtle species and, perhaps most visibly, Bengal tigers. India has taken the lead in protecting these tigers, and is now home to 75% of the world's population of tigers of any species.
  
  
• Indigenous Peoples: These are the folks who are arguably most affected by climate change. More than 2,500 of them showed up at the U.N.'s annual summit on climate change this year (held in Brazil, so in the backyard of many attendees), which led to the creation of a permanent U.N. committee of indigenous people that will advise on climate issues.
  
  
• Klamath: The Klamath River, in Northern California, was once home to a thriving salmon population. Then, four dams were built there, and they brought much pollution while getting rid of most of the salmon. As of today, the damn dams are now gone, and the salmon are back.

Not a bad year, especially given that the world's grossest polluter is under the leadership of an anti-environmental zealot. Here's hoping next year is even better.

Have a good weekend, all! (Z)