Good Animal Welfare News: Global Environmental Progress We’re Grateful for This Year
When glancing over recent news on environmental issues, it can be all too easy to feel disheartened, anxious, and upset. That’s why it’s so important to rekindle hope with good eco news from around the globe. As Thanksgiving rolls around, here are some of the best animal welfare wins from 2022 that prompt gratitude and optimism in all of us.
Good News About the Environment: 2022
Flying Without Fins
Shark finning is one of the leading causes of shark extinction today, killing an estimated 100 million or more sharks around the world each year. While the battle is still ongoing, one effective way we can combat shark finning is by reducing the sale and trade of shark fins. This year, Royal Air Maroc and TAP Air Portugal have joined the growing list of global airlines declaring they will no longer ship shark fins. This is promising animal welfare news for sharks!
Coral Recovery in the Great Barrier Reef
Some welcome environmental science news from Down Under: two-thirds of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has shown the largest amount of coral cover in 36 years. Coral reefs are a crucial part of ocean ecosystems and provide vital ecosystem services like coastline protection. “What we’re seeing,” Mike Emslie from the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences told Reuters, “is that the Great Barrier Reef is still a resilient system. It still maintains that ability to recover from disturbances.”
Nature-Focused Legislation in Panama
In March of this year, Panama became the next country to legally recognize the rights of nature. Panama’s laws now recognize nature’s rights to:
Exist, persist, and regenerate its life cycles
Conserve its biodiversity
Be restored after being affected directly or indirectly by any human activity
Let’s all appreciate this good environmental news, along with the many other positive stories that have trickled in throughout the year! Remember that hope is never lost, and we can always strive for better.
Here at International Veterinary Outreach (IVO), we want to improve the lives of people and animals worldwide, and you can help us do it! Donate now to support our international conservation efforts and animal health programs! Find out how you can get involved, sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date, and learn more about our decade of positive impact!
