Positive news stories about the state of our environment are few and far between. More common are stories that we’re almost at the point of irreparable damage, that if we don’t act now, it will be too late. While this may be true, it’s also important to recognize the positive steps nations have taken to do their part in saving the planet.

The following is an excerpt from Grassroots Rising by Ronnie Cummins. It has been adapted for the web.

Regenerators, given our current dire situation, need to operate on the old adage that “the darkest hour is right before the dawn.” Instead of dwelling on the negative, we need to search out and highlight positive trends and practices. On the contemporary scene, there are numerous signs of change and powerful countervailing trends to the degenerative status quo, not only in the United States but across the world. Rather than dwelling on gloom and doom, we need to focus on positive, potentially world-changing trends. Here are a few recent positive developments on the climate and political fronts that we can all draw upon for inspiration: