Spring and Easter, for me, have always been times to celebrate. It is a time to revel in the rebirth of life and feel the joy of the planet shouting, “Here I am!”
If you are like me, though, this joy is often tempered by all of those worrisome facts about our negative influence on the earth. We cannot ignore them, but we also cannot let them overtake us. We can use them as impetus to create change and to make the next best choice for our world.
Even more inspiring are the many wonderful things that are happening and will continue to happen. Our culture – under the guise of news, social media, and politics – works diligently to keep these little sparks of goodness from our view, but, with a little digging, we can find them.
To give you a head start, I want to offer you some things to love. Things to celebrate. Things to bring a smile to your face and a little joy to your heart.
Monarch butterflies are returning to California. Monarchs historically overwinter on the coast of California. In 2020, the number had dwindled to below 2000. According to a post at Yes! in the Thanksgiving count of 2022, they rebounded to over 335,000. We still have a long way to go to get close to the low millions that used to winter there, but it’s a positive start.
The magical Fairy Lantern (left), believed to be extinct, has been rediscovered after 30 years. Reported by Treehugger, this very unusual plant, “described as one of the most curious and extraordinary genera in the plant kingdom” was found again in Japan. Its rediscovery has provided a glimmer of hope and inspiration to continue conservation efforts.
Sturgeon and cheetahs are being successfully reintroduced in China and India respectively. Future Crunch reports “200,000 Chinese sturgeons were recently released back into the Yangtze as part of China’s re-wilding efforts, and India welcomed four cheetah cubs, the first in-country birth since the species was declared extinct there 70 years ago. The mother was relocated from Namibia last September.”
Beavers are returning to London! As a part of an urban rewilding program, beavers will return to West London after a 400-year absence. According to the Guardian, “the project is one of 22 across the capital to receive mayoral support as part of the Rewild London Fund.”
Ramadan is going green. According to The World Economic Forum, mosques are making great efforts to reduce the use of single-use items, with some even banning plastics completely.
America’s power grid is projected to generate 80-90% of its electricity from clean sources by 2030. According to the Harvard Climate Optimist, this is due largely to our new climate laws. How about that for some good news?!
I wish you many things to celebrate this spring. If the spirit moves you, please share one of the stories above (or one you find yourself) with a friend or loved one. We all need a bit of inspiration once in a while. Happy Easter!
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JOURNEY WITH US: The Climate Action Team extends a radical welcome to activists, contemplatives, readers, meditators, questioners, tree hugging hippies, scientists, policy wonks, radicals, pacifists, nature enthusiasts, and all who seek community as we navigate our changing times together. Learn all about the group here, and check out our lending library and Carbon Offset Fund grant opportunity. Contact Jon Reese to connect to the CAT and join us on Zoom for our next monthly meting on Monday, April 17.