Over the past week, there have been several major developments in the realm of environmental protection and climate change mitigation. California has set forth a groundbreaking initiative aiming to harness over half of its land to combat climate change by 2045, with the goal of transforming millions of acres into carbon-absorbing landscapes in an effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions (Source: LA Times - [California wants to harness more than half its land to combat climate change by 2045. Here's how](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-04-22/california-wants-to-harness-half-of-its-acreage-to-combat-climate-change-heres-how)). There's also ongoing Indigenous outcry over the lack of consultation regarding mining practices on or near their lands, which has become more critical due to the increased demand for minerals essential for the transition to cleaner energy sources (Source: AP News - [Growing demand for minerals sparks Indigenous outcry over 'business as usual' mining practices](https://apnews.com/article/indigenous-rights-energy-transition-bolivia-mining-5bfc90d265315319e34e330103ec5744)). Additionally, Greece has recently unveiled plans to create two marine protected areas as part of a remarkable $830 million environmental protection program, marking a significant move in safeguarding biodiversity and marine ecosystems (Source: AP News - [Greece plans 2 marine protected areas as part of an $830 million environmental protection program](https://apnews.com/article/greece-ocean-conference-marine-parks-turkey-biodiversity-c25b4992d0a6f93a0a2630db014284e5)).