During last year’s December issue, I wrote about CP2, a liquid natural gas (LNG) project. Currently, the construction on this LNG export facility has been halted until an additional environmental impact analysis is completed.  Since that project was approved, there have been many successes, as well as setbacks, for the environment. 

2024 has been the warmest year we have recorded, as well as the summer of 2024, June through August, being the hottest summer recorded by NASA. The Earth has begun to demonstrate the effects of this warming. Wildfires, earthquakes and hurricanes have plagued countries all over the world.

The United States experienced devastating hurricanes, one after another, during this year’s hurricane season. Beryl, Helene and Milton left millions displaced. Entire towns were washed away and destroyed. In early November, Spain experienced intense flooding. Areas like Valencia got almost a year’s equivalent of rain in a span of 8 hours, according to the World Meteorological Organization, leading to death and disruption for Spanish society.

Although there have been many downs this year, there have also been many ups, and they deserve to be acknowledged as well. There have been advances in renewable energy, conservation efforts sprouting everywhere as well as a lot of environmental advocacy. It is evident that there are people who still care, who are still working toward a better future, and this is what matters.