By Jessica Scott-Reid
Jessica is a Canadian writer, animal advocate and plant-based food expert. Her work appears regularly in media across Canada and the US.
Media and political rhetoric regarding climate change seems to be shifting lately. Rather than focusing on how the world might mitigate unprecedented natural disasters and other symptoms of an ailing planet, many leaders appear to be focusing on building more and fortifying further to withstand now-inevitable storms and turmoil. It can all feel a bit overwhelming and frustrating—even hopeless.
There is, however, much more to the climate chaos story beyond the concerning headlines and seemingly stalled action. If you reach into the corners where hope and effort live, change can be found. From grassroots actions to passionate political determination, there is actually much for Mother Earth and her inhabitants to be thankful for during this season of gratitude! Here are just a few of those stories:
Source: NASA Earth Observatory
Jaguars Making a Comeback in Argentina
Successfully reintroducing an important species back into an unbalanced ecosystem, to help restore biodiversity, is certainly one of them. And that is just what is happening with the jaguar in Argentina. Jaguars, who had been locally extinct in northeast Argentina’s Corrientes Province for nearly 70 years, are now not only surviving, but thriving and even breeding in the region.
Sebastián Di Martino, Conservation Director of Rewilding Argentina, told Rewilding.org: “The rewilding program seeks to recover the ecological functionality of the wetlands by bringing back missing species. As the top predator, the jaguar has a key role to play.” Jaguars have lost over 95% of their original range in Argentina, but thanks to the jaguar program, eight have been released into Iberá Park since 2012.
According to non-profit Tompkins Conservation, the jaguars now breeding successfully without assistance indicates “the species is steadily making its way to a full recovery.”
Growing Appetite for Plant-Based Foods in Europe
There is also much to be thankful for in the food systems space. As evidence grows about the disastrous effects of animal agriculture on the environment and animal welfare, meat consumption is in notable decline across a number of European countries. A recent survey by the Good Food Institute of 4,096 consumers across Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, revealed more people are eating plant-based meat alternatives than ever before and well over half the population of each country is reducing its overall meat consumption. This reflects market findings in Germany, where the Ministry of Food and Agriculture reported this summer that Germans are eating 12.3 percent less meat than they were 10 years ago.
Chart: Kenny Torrella/Vox. Source: Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
Rewilding UK Farms
Meanwhile, farmers in the UK are being offered public money to rewild their land in a move to recover ecological balance, entice the return of beneficial wildlife, and produce food more sustainably. Rewilding agricultural land by allowing “grassland, shrubs and trees regrow on former farmland will help store carbon to tackle climate change,” according to The Ecologist, “while the agriculture methods used elsewhere on the farm will also curb carbon emissions from the soil.” Landowners, farmers and conservationists are challenging the new UK government to maintain and build on these rewilding gains.
Humpback Whales Back from the Brink in Australia
There is also gratitude to be found in the oceans, as the humpback whale has been removed from the endangered species list in Australia, following years of successful conservation efforts after Australia banned whaling in 1979. “Our removal of the humpback from the threatened species list is based on science and sends a clear signal about what can be achieved through coordinated action,” Australia’s environment minister Sussan Ley, told The Guardian. “It is a message of hope for the welfare of a number of species.”
Huge Investment in Green Energy in the US
And in the US, President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which is considered potentially one of the most powerful climate investments ever made by any government, includes $369 billion in funding for clean energy, electric vehicle tax breaks, manufacturing of solar panels and pollution reduction.
More Safeguards for Wild Animals in Canada
Finally, here in Canada, the Jane Goodall Act is currently being seriously considered by policy makers. The unprecedented Act, if passed, will see far fewer wild animals being held in captivity in Canada, allowing more of them to remain where they belong: in the wild, in their own vital ecosystems. (See Planet Friendly News’ two-part coverage of the Jane Goodall Act and solving the zoo problem.)
While much of current public discourse around climate change can leave most earth-concerned citizens feeling hopeless, it is important to keep an attitude of gratitude for all the small but mighty victories being won by Mother Earth with the help of her inhabitants.
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