Last week the European Commission took a massive step forward towards protecting the environment. 

The European Green Deal pledges to protect 30% of the EU’s total land and oceans by 2030. Within the 30% of protected land, one-third of the land and sea will be under “strict protection”, meaning no human intervention besides minimal management to keep the area in good condition for wildlife.

The plan also includes commitments to reduce the use of chemical pesticides by 50%, plant 3 billion trees by 2030, and reverse the decline of important pollinators like bees and butterflies. 

This new strategy comes after decades of environmental destruction, leading to wildlife populations dropping by an average of 60% in the past 40 years as a direct result of human activity. 

With a price tag of over $20 Billion per year it is one of the most comprehensive and progressive environmental plans we’ve seen to date.

If properly implemented it may serve as an example for other countries’ environmental plans moving forward. This is a pretty big win for anyone who enjoys living on planet earth!

To learn more you can view the Green Deal in its entirety here.