This week’s good climate news

With so much still to do to slow warming and avoid the worst impacts of climate change, it’s important to fortify ourselves by celebrating wins along the way.

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An electric car port being charged with a cable indicating a full battery

EVs are cheaper than ever

Lithium is a common component in electric vehicle battery materials, and its cost decreased nearly 20% since January of this year. Cobalt and copper are also important components in EVs, and their prices have dropped about 50% and 18%, respectively.

All of these price drops in components mean EVs are dropping in price even while EV sales are booming, with the average cost of an EV dropping $1,000 in the U.S. in February.

A row of the EU flags - yellow stars in a circle on a blue flag

EU to fight false green claims

The European Union proposed rules to stand up to companies who claim their products are green when they are not. The EU’s executive arm wants to create greater transparency and protect consumers from products and services that ultimately harm the environment by requiring companies to prove their green claims.

The EU commission found that 53% of products or services that claimed to be green were providing “vague, misleading or unfounded information.” 

An underwater shot of some sharks and fish swimming around long strands of seaweed

US launches plan to use oceans to fight climate change

The newly unveiled Ocean Climate Action Plan will harness the power of the oceans to fight the climate crisis by creating new and expanding existing marine protected areas, producing ocean-based renewable energy and tapping into blue carbon climate benefits.

This new policy recognizes “that the ocean, land, and atmosphere are inherently interconnected,” and represents the first comprehensive U.S. policy of its kind.

An overhead shot of a bunch of big rigs parked diagonally and really impressively straight -- like so straight and at perfect angles it feels computer generated because how could a human be this good at parking?

California to lead on cutting truck pollution

The Environmental Protection Agency reportedly plans to let California take the lead on electric trucks by granting waivers that let the state phase out diesel-powered trucks and slash tailpipe pollution. The new policies will improve air quality and boost public health.

These new regulations have already been approved in California and are considerably tougher than current federal standards.

A scenic view of a range of mountains in the Southwest U.S.

Two new national monuments have arrived

President Biden introduced two new national monuments in the Southwest U.S. The 500,000-acre Nevada location includes Spirit Mountain, a sacred ancient site for Native American tribes, including Fort Mojave, the Cocopah, the Quechan‌‌ and the Hopi.

The 6,600-acre monument in Texas near the Franklin Mountains expands access to outdoor recreation and celebrates U.S. veterans and tribal nations.

Let’s take action on climate together