Good news! It’s not all doom and gloom for planet Earth. Positive changes are happening all around the world in a big way. Governments, citizens and non-profits are working together to protect endangered species and their habitats. Cities and countries are going green by embracing new technologies, reducing their dependency on oil and gas, and banning disposable plastics. The global shift to care for our planet is happening at an accelerated rate, and it’s unstoppable.
Here’s some good news to start off 2017:
1. Grrreat News for Tigers
Since this is a cat blog, let’s start off with some grrreat news for big cats. The wild tiger population is on the rise for the first time in a century. A 2016 survey counted 3,890 tigers, which is an increase from an estimate of 3,200 tigers in 2010. Tiger numbers are up in India, Russia, Nepal, and Bhutan as these countries work to protect tiger habitats and discourage poaching.
Source: National Geographic
2. Pandas Are No Longer Endangered
There’s even more great news for cats. The giant panda was downgraded from endangered to threatened. Why is it good news for cats? Because in Chinese, the literal translation of the Chinese characters for panda is “bear cat.”
Some encouraging numbers:
- 17{456796300b989ac2391159a2df073ed1ad38074dfcdb28494d5d1df8ab5972d8} increase in the number of giant pandas from 2004 to 2014
- 1,864 wild pandas living in their natural habitat (not in zoos)
- 67 panda reserves protect almost two-thirds of the wild panda population
Source: World Wildlife Fund
3. China Announces Ban on Ivory Sales
It’s a landmark year for elephants because the Chinese government is on track to ban commercial processing and ivory sales by March 2017. The ban reflects a dramatic change in public opinion over ivory. A recent study by Save the Elephants found that 71{456796300b989ac2391159a2df073ed1ad38074dfcdb28494d5d1df8ab5972d8} of Chinese citizens were opposed to the ivory trade. That’s a huge shift in consciousness because in 2012, less than half of those surveyed were opposed to ivory trading. This big change has resulted in an 85{456796300b989ac2391159a2df073ed1ad38074dfcdb28494d5d1df8ab5972d8} decline in ivory purchases. With less demand, the price of ivory has fallen sharply from $4,600 to $2,400 per pound. Less money = fewer poachers = more elephants in the future.
Source: Good News Network
4. Netherlands’ Electric Trains Now Run on Wind Energy
The Dutch keep leading the world with sustainable transportation. In addition to their extensive network of bicycle paths, every electric train in the country is now powered by wind energy. What’s even more amazing and inspiring is that Dutch railway companies made this pledge in 2015, and reached their goal a full year ahead of schedule. Just goes to show that when cities are committed to making a positive impact, they can change like the wind.
Source: Good News Network
5. Delhi Recently Bans All Disposable Plastics
Delhi is the third largest city in the world, with a population of 18.9 million. This Indian city recently voted for a complete ban on disposable plastics. Because Asian countries are the biggest consumers of these plastics, the ban will significantly help to reduce plastic waste. And the ban is inspiring enterprising businesses to develop new technologies such as edible plastics.
Source: TreeHugger
Be the Change You Want to See
While governments have been instrumental in many of these changes, the initiative for change always begins with citizens at the individual level. People make the difference. Education and raising awareness make a difference.
Will you help be the change you want to see?
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