The numbers are starting to come in on how we did environmentally in 2020…
On the good news side of the ledger, global carbon emissions appear to have fallen by 7%, which is a record. Let us not, of course, lose sight of the fact that this reduction came at enormous cost, economic and social, due to the pandemic, which simply demonstrates what has long been known: the only thing costlier than confronting climate change will be the failure to do so.
Also good news, though hardly a surprise to Pollinator readers, scientists have “discovered” that greater biodiversity leads to greater happiness. Sample conclusion: “the individual enjoyment of life correlates with the number of surrounding bird species.” Of course! (Read the study here!)
And voters in the US are rejoicing that the incoming Biden administration is, for the first time in US history, making climate change a top policy priority.