Renewable Energy and Agroecology: Positive Changes Ahead
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Good News is All Around Us
Life is more than just alarming headlines.
When I sit outside, enjoying the songs of birds or gazing at the sky, I feel a sense of peace in the world. However, reading the news often fills me with anger and anxiety about the future. The positive stories are often overshadowed, leading us to question their existence. Yet, there is an abundance of good news to share.
Renewable Energy on the Rise
The cost of generating electricity from onshore wind has now become lower than that of fossil fuels. Wind energy is also the fastest-growing power generation technology globally. In 2022, wind energy accounted for 22% of new electricity capacity in the United States, following solar power. The U.S. ranks as the second-largest producer of wind energy worldwide, with Texas leading the way, generating a remarkable 113.88 billion kWh in 2022. A portion of the earnings from each turbine is shared with the 300 landowners in Texas.
Globally, renewable energy is expanding at a pace that exceeds expectations. From 2022 to 2027, renewables are anticipated to grow 85% faster than in the previous five years. By 2025, renewables are projected to surpass coal as the primary source of electricity, and by 2027, they are expected to represent over 90% of global electricity capacity.
On April 14, 2024, California achieved a significant milestone in renewable energy, with wind, solar, and hydro sources meeting 100% of the state's energy demands for 25 out of 32 consecutive days.
The first video showcases Rend Collective's inspiring music video, "Rescuer (Good News)," which embodies the optimism surrounding positive change.
Agroecology: Farming with Nature
Agroecology, which integrates traditional indigenous farming practices, emphasizes working alongside nature. This holistic approach not only promotes soil health through regenerative agriculture but also addresses social and political concerns such as land rights, access to seeds, fair labor conditions, and sustainable livelihoods.
A shift to agroecology in Europe over a decade could lead to healthier food for the population, reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by 40%, restore biodiversity, and safeguard natural resources.
The impactful film "Kiss the Ground" has inspired over 1 billion viewers globally and motivated the USDA to allocate $20 billion towards improving soil health. It presents effective agricultural solutions for climate change and provides educational resources. The film's sequel, "Common Ground," was screened across various U.S. cities on Earth Day, April 22, 2024.
The second video, "Abounding Sin & Super-Abounding Grace," delves into themes of redemption and hope, resonating with the message of positive transformation in farming practices.
Transforming Urban Spaces
American Meadows advocates for converting traditional lawns into vibrant meadows filled with clover, wildflowers, or native plants. Initiatives like Homegrown National Park aim to enhance biodiversity by encouraging individuals to plant native species and eliminate invasive ones, with a goal of achieving 20 million acres of native plantings across the U.S.
Cooling Urban Areas
In just three years, Medellín, Colombia, experienced a nearly 4-degree Celsius (39.2 degrees Fahrenheit) drop in average air temperatures, thanks to the planting of 2.5 million plants and 880,000 trees along roads and in parks. This greening effort not only reduces the need for air conditioning but also absorbs significant CO2 and improves air quality. Between 2016 and 2019, acute respiratory infections decreased by almost 60%, while cycling in the city increased by 35%, and butterflies are making a comeback.
Restoring Urban Landscapes
In the U.S., paved surfaces account for about 30% of urban areas, with some cities like New York City reaching 61%. These paved areas contribute to urban heat islands, respiratory health issues, and flooding, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods.
In 1991, San Francisco's Embarcadero Freeway was replaced with a waterfront boulevard, while Seoul restored the Cheonggyecheon stream, which had been covered for an elevated highway.
Organizations like Depave, based in Portland, Oregon, work to convert over-paved areas into community green spaces, facilitating habitat restoration and urban farming.
In Chicago, the Space to Grow initiative revamps schoolyards into functional areas for learning and gardening, incorporating features that capture rainfall and reduce neighborhood flooding.
Golf Courses to Nature Preserves
The U.S. has nearly 16,000 golf courses, which is 42% of the global total. However, the number of closures has consistently surpassed new openings for the past 17 years. Many closed golf courses are sold to developers, but an increasing number are being transformed into nature preserves.
For instance, the San Geronimo Commons in Marin County, California, spans 157 acres, while in Pennsylvania, the Loch Nairn Golf Club is being converted into a passive-recreation park. In Tucson, Arizona, the Rancho Vistoso golf course is now the Vistoso Trails Preserve, and in Florida, the Wildflower Golf Club has been reimagined as the Wildflower Preserve.
The Forest Beach Migratory Preserve in Belgium, Wisconsin, was once a golf course but is now a 116-acre haven for wildlife, supporting migratory birds along the Lake Michigan Flyway.
Revitalizing Local News
According to Robert McChesney, co-founder of Free Press and author of "Rich Media, Poor Democracy," a free press is vital for a functioning democracy. Fortunately, initiatives like Press Forward are stepping in with a solution.
The decline in reliable local news is linked to threats against democracy, increasing polarization, and the spread of misinformation. Press Forward is making an initial investment of over $500 million to revitalize local news over the next five years, supporting 17 local news initiatives across the U.S.
The Colorado Media Project (CMP) has funded a new community printing press to begin producing 23 local newspapers. After Colorado lost its primary printing service last year, many publications were forced to change their operations or shut down. As of January 2024, CMP has provided 97 grants, totaling $1,813,090, aimed at enhancing service to underserved communities in Colorado.