While the news is often gloomy, we wanted to celebrate the end of 2022 with a non-exhaustive list of the most encouraging events for the future of our planet. You'll be familiar with TreeBike's commitment to the environment, so here's our top five climate news stories for 2022. Enough to end the year on a high note!
1. The reappearance of certain species
Welcome back friends! The European Wildlife Comeback report observes the return of certain wild species in Europe over the last four decades. Fifty species are listed in the report, including wolves, bears, bison, loggerhead turtles, Eurasian otters and wolverines (also known as Gulo Gulo or the Wolverine).
2. Finland sets an example
In June, Finland adopted the most ambitious climate policy in the world. It announced that it was aiming for carbon neutrality by 2035. Let's hope it inspires other countries to follow suit.
3. Universal chargers in the European Union
The European Union has decided to require manufacturers to harmonise all connectors. This means that all phones in Europe will be able to be charged using the same charger. Even the giant Apple has agreed to play along! This news will save an enormous amount of waste. Electronic cables generate between 11,000 and 13,000 tonnes of waste every year.
4. The ban on climate sceptic ads on Google and YouTube
Last October, Google and YouTube struck hard by banning the monetisation of climate sceptic content and advertising. The digital giants have decided to ban content that ‘contradicts the well-established scientific consensus on the existence and causes of climate change’. With this decision, Google and its subsidiary are waging war against the disinformation that is raging on the Internet.
5. The European Union's biodiversity strategy
The European Union has put in place a comprehensive, ambitious and long-term plan to protect nature and reverse the degradation of ecosystems. This strategy aims to put biodiversity on the road to recovery by 2030.
Here's our round-up of the good green news.
We hope we've given you plenty to look forward to as 2022 draws to a close, and look forward to being part of a better future for our planet.
Happy New Year to you all! The TreeBike team.