Woods & Wetlands Conservation Committee (*You are welcome to join us!) decided to look at the big picture and current state of climate change on our planet. While we are all aware of droughts, extreme weather, forest fires, air pollution events, we wondered about good news on the climate front. After poking around on the internet, I came up with some good news. This column is presented with a global look at the battle against a warming planet. To begin, we need to recognize that fossil fuels have been a major contributor to climate change across the world since the Industrial Revolution. Below are examples of “Good News” today.

Please note that renewable energy seems to be the hero.

• Wind, solar, tidal and other clean electricity production took over the lead in 2025. In more than 80% of countries, the growth rate of renewable energy sources is accelerating! (BBC)
• China is leading the global growth of renewable energy expanding clean energy output and dominating exports of clean-energy technologies in 2025. (BBC)
• In the UK, coal has practically disappeared as a power source while wind power became the largest single source in 2025. The UK is also pursuing ways to store energy. The world’s largest liquid air-battery storage facility is under construction in the north of the UK. (BBC)
• The European Union has committed to improving the African Continent’s dismal energy situation. Ursula von der Leyden, President of the European Commission, announced an investment package ($636 million) to support renewable energy and electronification of Africa. The goal is to increase access to electricity and move Africa off fossil fuels. (WIRED)
• England will require solar panels for all new homes starting in 2027. Government loans to retrofit existing homes with solar panels will reinforce its commitment to “net zero” goals while addressing economic and employment concerns. (The Guardian)
• The cancellation of the $7.5 billion dollar Department of Energy grants imposed by the Trump administration, to affect new wind, solar, and grid updates was overturned on January 12, 2026. The U. S. District Court of the District of Columbia deemed the action unconstitutional. A coalition of environmental action groups including EDF sued the Trump administration. (Environmental Defense Fund)
• Over the first 7 months of 2025, electric vehicle sales were up 27% globally. China led with 6.5million EVs sold and Europe was second with 2.3 million. (EDF)
• According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, more than 4 000 global companies now report climate commitments (nine-fold increase over the past five years. (EDF)
• A fifty-year-old coal terminal in the Port of Duluth-Superior will close this year. Coal shipments have dropped dramatically due to the transition to clean energy. Midwest Energy Resources Company, a subsidiary of DTE Electric Company, will not renew its lease with Koch Industries. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
• Merrimack Station in New Hampshire, a coal-fired power plant has shut down marking the end of coal powered electricity production in the region. The Sierra Club was part of a contingent that brought actions against the plant for Clean Water Act violations. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
• Good News for the Klamath River Watershed in Oregon and Northern California. Since the 2024 removal of four hydroelectric dams along the Klamath River, salmon have returned to their traditional spawning grounds. Missing from upstream areas of the river for generations, a tribal-led campaign resulted in the return of the river to its original flow and the return of the salmon. (Oregon Public Radio)
• Iceland produces nearly 100% of its electrical power from renewable sources (hydro and geothermal), leading in per capita green energy.
• Norway generates approximately 98.38% of its electricity from wind, water, or solar power.
• Paraguay is one of the few nations with a 100% renewable electricity grid.
• Costa Rica frequently runs entirely on renewable energy for long stretches.
• Denmark is a leader in wind power, producing up to 140% of its electrical needs on windy days (*Google)