9 Eco wins of 2025: Is our home healing?
I was sitting on the couch, coffee in one hand, pen in the other, staring out the window and wondering what on earth to write about (pun not intended). That’s when I noticed one of the first flowers of spring – a tiny, stubborn gesiggie pushing through the soil. It was simple, almost ordinary, but it hit me: this is what we’re all hoping for, right? Little signs that the planet is still fighting, still alive, still worth protecting.
But then another thought crept in: I actually had no idea what’s really happening environmentally right now. Are things getting better?
So – curiosity fully ignited (and caffeine coursing through my veins) – I went digging. And what I found was… well, take a look for yourself:
1. A return to Portugal by the European beaver
Guess who’s back? After 500 years, the European beaver has been spotted in Portugal. A species that disappeared in the 15th century (the same century as Gutenberg’s printing press invention) is back with its buck teeth and dam-building obsession. Ecologists are calling them a ‘natural ally’ because beavers don’t just live in rivers – they rebuild them. They improve water quality, prevent droughts and even help fight wildfires.
Fun fact: Beavers increase the diversity of plant life by a staggering 33%.
2. Solar power is surging
In the first half of 2025, global solar installations surged by 64% – adding a record 380 gigawatts of new solar capacity. That’s the fastest growth solar has ever seen.
Wondering where South Africa sits in all of this? Well, South Africa’s solar capacity jumped nearly 12% last year with private businesses leading the charge. Solar doesn’t spew greenhouse gases or air pollution. Translation: it’s power that doesn’t poison us.
Fun fact: At any moment, the Earth receives roughly 173 000 terawatts of solar energy, while humanity uses only 15–18 terawatts. That means the sun could easily power the entire world if we could capture it all.
3. The ozone hole’s miraculous recovery
A study led by MIT confirmed the Antarctic ozone hole is healing because the world has collectively cut back on ozone-depleting substances. If we stay on track, the ozone layer could return to 1980 levels between 2035 and 2066!
Not-so-fun fact: The ozone hole was once as large as 28.3 million square kilometres which is almost equivalent to the size of Africa, which is 30.3 million square kilometres.
4. Cameroon’s agroforestry projects
In Cameroon, agroforestry projects (combining forestry with farming for more sustainable land-use) have secured 100 hectares of land and planted more than 60 000 fruit trees across 18 villages. The result? More biodiversity and stronger local ecosystems. This isn’t just planting trees – it’s growing life back into the land.
Fun fact: Some of the trees planted can bear fruit within three years, feeding both people and wildlife.
5. 25 Million trees initiative in New York
New York State spans approximately 141 000 square kilometres, and they have launched a $15 million (R263 312 000) grant program to plant 25 million trees by 2033 – that’s 177 trees per square kilometre (shout-out to my friend for crunching the numbers!). A year later, over 335 000 trees are already in the ground. From city streets to rural forests, this initiative is all about giving people greener spaces to breathe.
Fun fact: One fully grown tree can absorb about 25 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year – so New York’s 25 million trees could absorb over 600 000 tonnes annually.
6. Humpback whales are making a comeback
Humpback whales in South Africa are thriving. From just over 200 in 2023/24 to more than 1100 this year, their numbers are skyrocketing. Beyond being awe-inspiring, whales are carbon-capturing superheroes – storing CO₂ in their bodies and locking it away on the ocean floor for centuries. Protecting them isn’t just cool, it’s worthwhale.
Fun fact: Humpback whales can weigh up to 36 000 kilograms but they actually don’t eat for the majority of the year!
7. The great green wall (African Sahel Region)
Stretching 8000 kilometers across the Sahel, the Great Green Wall aims to restore 1 million square kilometres of degraded land by 2030. Over 200 square kilometres have already been revived – 30% complete. This living wall isn’t just stopping desertification – it’s boosting agriculture, food security and community resilience.
Fun fact: If (hopefully ‘when’) completed, the Great Green Wall will be almost as long as the distance from London to New York.
8. A major win for ocean protection in the Philippines
In a major win for ocean protection, the Philippines has officially declared the more than 600 square kilometres of ocean surrounding Panaon Island a Protected Seascape. This is part of the country’s goal to safeguard 30% of its land and waters by 2030.
Fun fact: At first glance – and after looking at all these huge numbers – 600 square kilometres does not seem that big, but it is almost the same size as Singapore. That’s a lot of water getting a safety bubble to thrive.
9. A different kind of milestone
Here’s the truth – when I set out to find 9 massive environmental wins for 2025, I came up short. Every time I thought I had the perfect story for number 9, the other shoe dropped. Colombia was on track to slash deforestation, then it surged. The Great Barrier Reef showed signs of recovery in 2024, then declined sharply in 2025. It’s frustrating (and I raged into a pillow numerous times), but it’s also a reminder – we can’t stop now.
The wins we’ve seen this year are real, but they’re fragile. Progress isn’t a straight line, and the moment we think the work is done, we backslide. So, for now, I’ll leave this ninth milestone open. My hope? This time next year, we’ll have something truly worth celebrating to slot in right here.
🔎Want to read the articles? Find the links here:
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/after-500-years-the-beaver-is-back-in-portugal-and-ready-to-give-a-dam/
https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mb/riding/nature/animals/mammals/castors-beavers
https://ratedpower.com/blog/south-Africa-solar-power-surge-challenging-energy-landscape/
http://m.timesofindia.com/articleshow/123651023.
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/solar-energy-and-the-environment.php
https://news.mit.edu/2025/study-healing-ozone-hole-global-reduction-cfcs-0305
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/11/ozone-layer-hole-update-nasa/
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/2dd7c766f60143d6a197fd75442be20c
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210119-why-saving-whales-can-help-fight-climate-change
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/8-successful-reforestation-projects-around-the-globe/
https://livelifewithacause.org/reforestation-projects-that-are-changing-the-world-an-overview