Doing it anyway.

Welcome to Climate Positive! It's undeniably hot out there, but if you are here to doom scroll about the world's inevitable demise due to climate change, you're in the wrong place. This newsletter pulls together top headlines supporting a narrative that climate action is actually happening and making a real difference.

In this week's issue we look at how initiatives are standing up against naysayers, pushing boundaries of what people believe is (or isn't) possible, and proving that yes, if we make small changes, from the individual, to natural, to corporate levels, the ripple effect can be huge.

This week's issue includes the impact of Plastic Free July, Walmart dipping a toe in impacting overconsumption and righting the supply chain, and rewilding efforts that are restoring the natural balance of ecosystems across the world (because I know you all love your creatures). Have faith readers.

Plastic Purge.

The authors of The Washington Post article linked here would have you believe that going plastic free is "nearly impossible," but it's just not. Once you get past the click bait, the article encourages readers to look at Plastic Free July - the new Dry January for those of us who value the planet. Plastic Free July, which began in Australia in 2011, has become a global movement encouraging people to reduce their plastic use. Rebecca Prince-Ruiz OAM founded the initiative after realizing that recycling alone was not enough and that reducing waste was crucial. The campaign has grown significantly, with 89 million participants in 190 countries last year, helping to avoid over 1.5 million tons of plastic waste—enough to fill about 80,000 garbage trucks in a single month. By focusing on practical solutions and incremental changes, the campaign has made it accessible for both beginners and more experienced participants, leading to significant reductions in plastic waste. Through community support and gradual adjustments, individuals are making a meaningful impact on plastic pollution, fostering momentum for broader systemic changes.

Rewilding the wild.

The reintroduction of large mammals, such as bison and wolves, has significantly boosted biodiversity and ecosystem health, according to a Yale Environment 360 article by Janet Marinelli . Bison grazing patterns promote plant regrowth and create water-collecting depressions, fostering plant diversity in contrast to the detrimental grazing habits of cattle. Additionally, large carnivores like wolves control herbivore populations, preventing overgrazing and allowing ecosystems to thrive. These restoration efforts have also enhanced carbon sequestration, with studies showing that healthy large animal populations can significantly increase carbon uptake, aiding in climate change mitigation. These efforts demonstrate that human-wildlife coexistence is both feasible and beneficial for ecosystem restoration. According to a study, published in the journal Ecography, reintroducing just 20 large mammals — 13 herbivore and seven predator species — can help biodiversity bounce back around the world and tackle climate change in the process. Among these candidates for rewilding are brown bears, bison, wild horses, jaguars, reindeer, Eurasian beavers, elk, moose, wolverines, tigers, and hippopotamuses (yes, that's the plural, I checked).

For more rewilding success stories check this out: https://www.oneearth.org/six-successful-rewilding-stories-from-around-the-world/

And my favorite headline and worthy read: ‘Give Nature Space and it Will Come Back’ https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/give-nature-space-and-it-will-come-back-rewilding-returns-endangered-species-to-uks-south-coast/

Walmart's American-Made Shirt.

The race to drive down the price of clothing has led to overconsumption, which accelerates climate change. Which is why I find it interesting that Walmart - which for decades has used its power to push retailers to the lowest possible prices (and as a result often push them to manufacture goods in China), has potentially started a slow pivot toward sustainability. 沃尔玛 recently announced it will sell a new $12.98 American-made T-shirt collaboration with American Giant , a brand known for ethical manufacturing. While it's just one single shirt, it could signal a move that challenges the fast fashion race to the bottom by prioritizing quality and sustainability over low prices. It's too early to tell if it will work, but by nudging consumers to spend a little more for domestically made products, Walmart -- in theory -- could be at the beginning of using it's vast power to reverse a destructive pattern in the fashion industry, opening the door for other retailers to follow suit. Actions speak louder 沃尔玛 so thank you. But please don't stop at one single shirt. Use your power for good.

That's it for this week. Please do share any positive news/stories you see that would be a fit. The more positivity and awareness we can build around climate progress, the more action we can inspire through hope. Like and follow if you'd like to see more.

And if you'd like my team to help tell your positive climate story, ping me at [email protected]