Over the past two years, record-breaking heat waves have gripped Europe and North America, pushing temperatures to unprecedented levels. Cities from Athens to Phoenix have faced relentless heat, leading to water shortages, destructive wildfires, and severe public health crises. These extreme events are a sobering reminder of how climate change is amplifying natural weather patterns and testing the resilience of communities worldwide.

In 2023, the world faced a stark reminder of the growing plastic waste crisis. Despite international pledges to curb single-use plastics, plastic pollution continued to climb, with marine environments bearing the brunt of this escalating disaster. This issue underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions and stronger policies to combat the mounting tide of waste that threatens ecosystems and human health alike.

In 2023, global leaders gathered in Dubai for COP28, the annual climate summit under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The event was a critical moment in the global push to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels—a target scientists emphasize is essential to avoid catastrophic climate impacts. While the summit showcased some promising agreements and renewed commitments, it also raised pressing questions about whether these efforts are enough and how effectively they can be implemented.

In the past two years, electronic waste (e-waste) has surged at an alarming rate, fueled by rising demand for smartphones, laptops, and other devices. With over 50 million metric tons of e-waste generated globally in 2023, the issue has become a critical environmental and public health challenge. As this problem grows, the need for effective solutions becomes more urgent than ever.

Water scarcity in the American West has reached critical levels, with reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell at historically low capacities. This ongoing crisis highlights the pressing need for sustainable water management to address the region’s growing demand and dwindling supplies. As communities, farmers, and policymakers grapple with these challenges, the stakes for the environment and livelihoods couldn’t be higher.

In recent years, the spotlight on environmental responsibility has intensified, but so has the practice of greenwashing—when companies make misleading claims about the environmental benefits of their products or practices. In 2023 and 2024, numerous corporations came under fire for overstating their sustainability efforts, eroding consumer trust and slowing genuine progress toward addressing climate change. Combating greenwashing requires coordinated efforts from governments, NGOs, and consumers to hold corporations accountable for their actions.