It’s safe to say that 2020 hasn’t been anyone’s year. In fact, it’s difficult to even comprehend the number of negative things that have happened in our world since this year began. This never-ending timeline of catastrophe has definitely had an effect on how most people (including myself) view the world. With an abundance of bad news coming through our phones and television screens constantly, it’s easy to adopt a pessimistic mindset. However, I am here to tell you, albeit an unpopular opinion, that life is still beautiful! In a last-ditch effort to convince you that 2020 isn’t just a waking nightmare, here is a list of five positive things that have happened this year around the globe!
- Australian Scientists Discover 500 Meter Coral Reef at Great Barrier Reef.
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This huge coral reef is 500 meters. For reference, that measurement is larger than the height of the Empire State Building! This incredible discovery is the first of its kind in over 120 years. An underwater camera confirmed that the reef, which is rich in sponge and nutrients, is inhabited by all sorts of ocean life. This reef will be studied extensively, and could possibly provide solutions to restoring and maintaining healthy ocean life. Not only is this a miraculous discovery that will lead to years of research, but the reef is also a testament to how little we know about what lies beneath the ocean’s surface. Life is full of surprises!
- Covid-Lockdown Gave Our Planet a Breather.
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As the Covid-19 virus spread in the early months of 2020, lockdowns, curfews, and “safer-at-home” became the new norm. The restriction of human mobility definitely took some of the pressure off our planet’s struggle with climate change. Social, economic, and industrial activity that damages our planet suddenly shut off, leaving our environment a moment to bounce back and take advantage of the decreased CO2 emissions. This resulted in significantly less pollution, improved quality of air, cleaner water, and undisturbed wildlife. According to a study by the Global Carbon Project, the coronavirus lockdown resulted in a 17% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions.
- We Are All Giving Gordon Ramsey a Run for His Money.
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Being stuck inside gave everyone plenty of time to hone their cooking skills, or if you are like me, develop them entirely. At first, my family was definitely intimidated by the idea of not being able to go to a restaurant, but after a few weeks (and some frankly inedible meals) we started to get the hang of things. I think for many people like me, cooking offered a happy distraction and alleviated a ton of anxiety about the state of our world. At the beginning of this pandemic, things seemed completely out of our control. For many, food became more than functional (humans eat to survive). It became a source of stability, purpose, and joy. It was enough to turn a trainwreck in the kitchen, like myself, into a “master” chef (don’t ask my roommates if this is true).
- Spotify Launched Daily Wellness Playlists.
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This year shed light on mental health like none other, mostly because it put a massive strain on most people’s sanity. However, maybe more attention to our mental health and daily well-being was long overdue. Many people took time during quarantine to destress, rediscover old hobbies, and generally improve themselves. Spotify helped with this by launching personalized playlists with relaxing podcasts and music. While I can’t say this year necessarily improved my mental well-being, it did cause me to check in with myself more. I think everyone on the planet can benefit from taking more time to prioritize mindfulness and attention to their mental health.
- A New Chapter for Nuclear Disarmament.
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The United Nations announced in October that a treaty to ban nuclear weapons has been made official after Honduras became the 50th Member State to ratify. This treaty was created in 2017 and will go into effect on January 22, 2021. Many groups advocated for this treaty, including survivors of previous nuclear explosions and tests. According to the U.N. Chief, this is an important step in the worldwide movement “to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons”. This shows major progress towards making our world a safer and more peaceful place for future generations!
These events may have surprised you due to the overwhelming amount of negativity our world has faced this year. However, I am a strong believer that there is always a silver lining. The key to getting through 2020 (and whatever comes next) is a positive mindset. These moments of optimism serve as reminders that every situation is temporary and it is important to focus on the good things life still has to offer.