5 good outcomes of the worst year ever: why 2020 wasn’t all bad
A look back on the best things that happened in 2020
Olivia Hunt / Assistant A&C Editor
There’s no debate that 2020 was a unique year to say the least. Uniquely terrible, actually. But it wasn’t all that bad. In fact, it came with plenty of silver linings — ones that will leave a positive legacy for years to come. Below are five of the good things that came out of 2020:
1. The Environment Got a Breather
At least the environment had a good year! Due to the economic recession caused by COVID-19, partnered with the cheaper cost of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, carbon dioxide emissions dramatically declined, according to CNN. Furthermore, 2020 had another driving force reducing the U.S. carbon footprint: meat alternatives. Since the pandemic began, sales of plant-based proteins and veggie burgers, such as the “Impossible Burger” and “Beyond” meat, have been on the rise.
Matt Ball, a senior communications specialist at the Good Food Institute, explained the public’s newfound interest in alternative meat in a Forbes article.
“There’s a greater concern for food safety; there’s been a lot more attention to how meat is produced in the media,” Ball said. “People are trying to figure out safer ways to find what they’re looking for, and plant-based meat provides not only a great increase in food safety, but also in environmental sustainability.”
This trend of reducing our carbon footprint is expected to continue into 2021, especially with the U.S. recently rejoining the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
2. Online Mental Health Resources Improved & Increased
The pandemic has undoubtedly worsened the state of people’s mental health on a global scale.
This sharp decline sparked an increased demand for mental health services, directly spurring the launch of numerous online resources.
Several companies even offered their services for free. In 2020, more people than ever took advantage of digital mental health resources, from video counseling to text-based therapy services.
USD’s Counseling Program was also awarded a $3.2 million grant in June of 2020.
Joi Spencer, Ph.D., associate dean and professor in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at USD, explained the purpose of this grant in a press release
“This HRSA grant exemplifies the mission of SOLES, by providing support in the form of scholarship monies to disadvantaged students who wish to enter the field of Counseling,” Spencer said. “Increasing the diversity of counselors subsequently increases the diversity of clients that counselors are able to serve.”
This push for more diversity in the field of counseling will certainly have long-lasting, positive effects on USD’s student body as a whole. Mental health is being recognized more and more as a health issue — one that affects a person’s overall wellbeing, just as a physical issue does. Such immense change may bring about an end to the mental health stigma for good.
3. TikTok Didn’t Get Banned
Luckily, one of the best cures for boredom didn’t get taken away from us in 2020. With its gold mine of filters, reaction videos, and memes, the app TikTok keeps millions of people entertained and laughing every day — no small feat during one of the most depressing years in our lifetimes.
USD senior Shane Duffy, who has amassed over 48K followers on TikTok, gave some insight as to why 2020 was such a popular year for the app.
“During a time of little social interaction, it’s been a really great way to connect with people all over the world,” Duffy said. “On top of that, it’s nice to have something to consistently do and look forward to every day.”
From the comfort (and safety) of one’s couch, TikTok has enabled people to create and find some respite from these unprecedented times.
4. Female Leaders Stepped Up to the Plate
The same year that Vice President Kamala Harris was elected to office, female leaders around the world have made major progress in the fight against coronavirus. In a study from Business Insider, research showed that countries with a female leader were able to respond more effectively to the pandemic.
Such countries include Germany, Denmark, New Zealand, Taiwan, Iceland, and Finland; each having experienced fewer deaths than their male-led counterparts, such as the U.K., Spain, Italy, and Brazil. The policies enacted by these women to mitigate the devastating pandemic were shown to have been swift, effective, and lasting.
According to Bloomberg’s “Covid Resilience Ranking,” Jacinda Arden, New Zealand’s prime minister, helped her country become the most resilient to the pandemic in the world.
While it’s not surprising that these female leaders stepped up to the immense challenges brought about by COVID, their successes are certainly praiseworthy.
5. Animal Shelters Were Emptied Across the Country
As it turns out, dogs and cats were the big winners of 2020. With more people than ever working from home, pets certainly got far more attention from their owners, and new pets were brought home too. Shelters and nonprofit breeders alike reported that demand for a pandemic pet skyrocketed as people abided by stay-at-home orders.
The increased ability for virtual adoption meetings also made it easier for people to adopt pets and rescue animals. With all the current craziness of the world, furry friends relieve an immense amount of anxiety, so increased pet adoption has really been a win-win.