On Feb. 10, President Donald Trump issued an executive order ending the procurement and use of paper straws at federal agencies. It was a stark reversal from the Biden era, in which the former president vowed to remove plastic straws and single-use plastics from federal food service in favor of paper straws, which are thought to be better for the environment.

In March 2023, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its sixth assessment report. This report detailed current and projected climate change and established its 2050 goal: achieving global net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2050 so that global warming is limited to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Exceeding that limit significantly increases the risk of severe, irreversible climate impacts that could render the planet uninhabitable. According to the report, meeting the net-zero goal by 2050 requires “immediate greenhouse gas emissions reductions in all sectors this decade.”

On Feb. 10, President Donald Trump issued an executive order ending the procurement and use of paper straws at federal agencies. It was a stark reversal from the Biden era, in which the former president vowed to remove plastic straws and single-use plastics from federal food service in favor of paper straws, which are thought to be better for the environment.

A diverse group of 21 speakers and performers have been selected to make presentations at TedXLasVegas, an event that will explore the intersection of social and environmental topics with added emphasis on the Downtown Las Vegas Arts District.

Research shows we’re drawn to bad news, and President Trump’s actions only amplify the noise. Still, there are hard-fought climate victories worth celebrating in the United States and beyond.

President Donald Trump’s action to pause all federal spending could halt money that proved critical in bringing Lake Mead levels up from historic lows, putting more solar panels on top of Nevadans’ houses and getting more electric vehicles on the road.