As the world gets ready to bid farewell to what is undoubtedly the most difficult and unprecedented year we have all been in our lives so far, it is easy to get caught up in the negativity that the circumstances have brought upon us. It has not been easy, but the year was not without silver linings, especially when it comes to staying green and preserving the environment. So, as we step into 2021, let us look at the good things that happened to Mother Nature in 2020.
The Ocean is Getting Attention:
The great blue waters that makes the earth the marvelous planet it is, got a lot of attention this year. In one of the more hopeful climate reviews, a group of scientists projected that marine life could recover from human intervention in the next 30 years if policies around overfishing, pollution, and habitat restoration are implemented swiftly. “Rebuilding marine life represents a doable Grand Challenge for humanity, an ethical obligation and a smart economic objective to achieve a sustainable future,” their report reads. There is hope yet, and we must all do our part to conserve oceans and protect marine life.
A Cleaner World:
While the fact that the global population was forced to stay home, travel less and reduce socializing isn’t something to rejoice over, it did give the planet earth some time to breath. This meant that pollution reduced by great amounts, and that there was less carbon and nitrogen in the atmosphere. The air cleared up, the lands got greener, the streets got cleaner and biodiversity thrived. We should try to maintain and promote this, even once the world resorts back to the normal state.
Trash is Now Trendy:
The fashion industry finds inspiration in the most fascinating and curious things. In 2020, there were a lot of trends that were inspired by resource and waste management. This reduced the amount of raw material being used for clothing, and redefined what it meant to upcycle material. It also was a big win for the wildlife, because with the introduction of vegan leather, there could be a drop in the number of animals being killed for clothing. From using ocean plastic for clothing, making jewelry out of trash, and reusing discarded grape skins after wine production, 2020 did a lot for fashion, as well as the environment.
A New Carbon Labelling Scheme:
In a sign that greater transparency could be coming to the fashion industry, this year Allbirds became the first brand to track and publicize the carbon footprint of its products. (Their average shoe creates the same amount of emissions as driving 19 miles in a car or running five loads of laundry in the dryer.) Allbirds then joined forces with Adidas to collaborate on what they hope will be the lowest carbon footprint sneaker to ever hit the pavement.
Plant-Based Diets:
Staying stuck at home could change a lot for people, and this year was proof of that. Many people took this as an opportunity to try vegan, vegetarian, organic and keto diets. Not only did this pave the way for many to become healthier, it also helped the environment. People were purchasing more and more locally grown products, growing their own food, using less chemicals, following plant-based diets, finding meat substitutes and introducing more and more delicious recipes that wouldn’t have happened if not for all the time spent on discovering new flavors and ingredients.
Photos sourced from Tim Taylor, Nate Steiner
