Sustainability First: Was 2024 Good or Bad for Sustainability Efforts?

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – 2024 began with a big win for sustainability, after the world passed a major milestone for clean energy, having generated a record 30% of electricity in the world through renewable energy.

The year also saw the United Kingdom close its last goal plant,  a huge step seeing that the country relied on coal for 80% of its electricity in 1990.

But the year also highlighted some major setbacks to sustainability efforts around the world. 

There was a noticed trend in some companies walking back on their sustainability and diversity promises, like tractor supply company which eliminated their diversity, equity, and inclusion roles  and withdrew their carbon emission goals, instead saying they would focus on their land and water conservation efforts after pressure from customers.

And while many of us have gotten used to the convenience of help from artificial intelligence while the service is free, that help doesn’t come without a cost.

Increased power demand from data centers  means  electricity demand is now expected to nearly double the previous forecast growth over the next five years.  

According to a 2024 report from the conference board, current versions of ai platforms like chatgpt, pull the same amount of energy in one day  which would take the average us household 47 years to use. 

But of course there are still things you can do to create a positive impact for 2025 in sustainability history:

-do your part to reduce your carbon foot print at home and on the road,

-support and encourage businesses to prioritize sustainable efforts,

and

-minimize your use of AI bots.