There’s no shortage of bad news, but it’s worth highlighting the progress being made in environmental protection. For instance, German solar and wind electricity production has outpaced that of fossil fuels for the first time.
This development is closely tied to the fact that renewable energy now out-competes fossil fuels, and advancements in battery technology have mitigated traditional problems with intermittency.
California has become the first grid system in the world to generate a majority of its electricity from solar power. Similarly, Costa Rica has made significant strides in reforestation efforts, with forest cover rebounding to 60% of its original amount, thanks in part to a gasoline tax that funds ecosystem services.
In 1987, forest cover in Costa Rica had collapsed to just 21% of its original amount, but the country’s efforts to restore its ecosystems have yielded positive results.
Despite these successes, there are still challenges to be addressed. In Costa Rica, the recovery of forest canopies does not necessarily mean that biodiversity has been restored, as species have gone extinct and are not coming back. Additionally, the program’s funding, which relies on a gasoline tax, will need a new source of funding as gasoline usage declines.
In California, electricity prices remain high, driven by factors such as wildfire-related costs, problematic rate design, and utility profits on capital investments.
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A recent report by the state’s Little Hoover Commission identified these factors and noted that they will be difficult to change due to physical and political barriers.
Good policy can work, as demonstrated by the Costa Rican example, but it requires continued effort and funding. In Germany, the nation’s goal to achieve NetZero by 2045 is ambitious, but its decision to ban nuclear power has been called “a strategic mistake” by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Polls also show the possibility of the neo-fascist AfD Party gaining power in the next election, which could reverse the phaseout of coal and create other problems.
However, the progress made so far is a result of the application of intelligence to actual problems, and it is still possible to fight for and win environmental protection, even in the face of challenges.
As Ronald Reagan once said, “when you’re explaining, you’re losing,” highlighting the need for clear and effective policies.
The progress made is real and a result of addressing actual problems. It can be fought for and won.
