Big Environmental Stories to Watch in 2022
- Biden’s Environmental Policy: Despite reversing many previous anti-environmental policies, President Biden has faced criticism for not fully living up to his environmental campaign promises, particularly regarding new fossil fuel drilling rights. The political landscape faces further tests with the 2022 midterm elections, potentially impacting future environmental actions.
- Biodiversity in Crisis: Recent studies show alarming extinction risks for various species, with significant declines in populations across many ecological groups. This crisis continues with few media highlights, underscoring the need for greater attention and action.
- Global Discussions on Biodiversity Threatened by Pandemic: Important international meetings intended to address nature and biodiversity conservation are jeopardized by the ongoing pandemic, though digital platforms offer alternative means for these critical discussions.
- Rising Plastic Pollution: The U.S. remains a leading contributor to global plastic waste, prompting urgent calls for comprehensive policy reforms to mitigate environmental impacts and improve sustainability practices.
- Increasing Extreme Weather Events: As climate change intensifies, the U.S. experiences more severe weather events, highlighting the urgent need for resilience and robust infrastructure to combat these changes.
- Renewable Energy Expansion and Challenges: The U.S. is set to increase its renewable energy capacity significantly, facing challenges related to supply chains and equitable distribution, particularly in historically marginalized communities.
These pivotal stories require not only increased media coverage but also proactive engagement from all societal sectors to address the interconnected environmental challenges we face today.
Sources:
John R. Platt, T. L. (2021, December 28). 6 Big Environmental Stories to watch in 2022 • the revelator. The Revelator. https://therevelator.org/environmental-stories-watch-2022/
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect nor represent the Earth Chronicles and its editorial board.
