2024 saw a tumultuous year for climate and nature, with rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and the constant threat of crossing the 1.5°C threshold for the first time. However, amidst the challenges, significant environmental breakthroughs have quietly emerged, offering hope for the future. Here’s a roundup of seven key victories for our planet that you may not have noticed.
1. The End of Coal in the UK
In a historic move, the UK closed its final coal-fired power plant in 2024, signaling the end of an era. The closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power plant in Nottinghamshire on September 30th marked the cessation of coal as a power source in the UK, a country that once led the Industrial Revolution by burning coal for energy. This decommissioned site could soon become a battery storage hub, a growing trend as former power plants are repurposed for renewable energy storage. The transition away from coal reflects the UK’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
2. A Global Surge in Green Power
Renewable energy continues to surge worldwide, with wind power generation in the United States breaking records. By 2030, global renewable energy capacity is expected to more than double, with China playing a major role in this growth. Solar energy, in particular, is now the cheapest energy option in most countries, driving this massive shift toward clean energy. Despite challenges, the ongoing growth in green power marks a crucial step toward decarbonization.
3. Legal Personhood for Nature
2024 marked a groundbreaking year for legal protections for the natural world. Several countries recognized natural features as legal persons, granting them the right to exist, regenerate, and restore. In New Zealand, the peaks of Egmont National Park became legal entities, while in Brazil, the coastal city of Linhares granted its ocean waves legal personhood. These rulings pave the way for stronger protections for ecosystems and wildlife, challenging traditional legal frameworks.
4. New Ocean Protections for the Azores
The Azores in Portugal announced the creation of a vast marine protected area (MPA) covering 30% of the North Atlantic region. This MPA is set to become the largest in the area, ensuring protection for unique marine life, including hydrothermal vents and diverse fish species. With stringent protections in place, this MPA will play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity and sustaining marine ecosystems.
5. Amazon Deforestation Drops to Nine-Year Low
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon decreased by more than 30% in 2024, reaching its lowest point in nine years. While the area destroyed is still vast, this marks a significant step toward reversing the trend of rampant deforestation in the region. This decrease follows pledges from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to end deforestation by 2030 and combat illegal logging.
6. Conservation Efforts Yield Positive Results
A major review of conservation efforts in 2024 revealed that most projects have successfully slowed or reversed biodiversity loss. One notable success is the recovery of the critically endangered Saiga antelope in Kazakhstan. Through careful monitoring and habitat restoration, the Saiga population has grown from 20,000 in 2003 to nearly 3 million today, moving from “critically endangered” to “near threatened” status.
7. Indigenous-Led Efforts Replenish Ecosystems
In California, the Yurok Tribe’s decades-long efforts to restore wildlife habitats culminated in the return of salmon to the Klamath River after a 100-year absence. This historic recovery follows the removal of four dams that had obstructed the river’s natural flow. Additionally, the tribe’s ongoing work with California condors continues to thrive, with more birds returning to Yurok territory.
Conclusion While much of the global attention is focused on the immediate threats posed by climate change, these seven quiet breakthroughs serve as powerful reminders that progress is being made. From the end of coal to the protection of nature through legal personhood, 2024 has shown that change is possible, and collective efforts—whether through policy, conservation, or indigenous knowledge—can help safeguard our planet for future generations.
By highlighting these achievements, we are reminded that even amidst global challenges, positive change is happening—and we must continue working together to ensure it accelerates.
Source: BBC
