Climate change presents a complex challenge, but it’s one we can all approach with a healthy dose of optimism. The environmental movement reached some seriously impressive milestones in 2015—here are a few I was especially grateful to see as mbg’s green editor. To learn more about how you can cut down on your plastic use, read about this woman’s awesome plastic-free journey. Shoppers can now check in on their favorite brands with resources like Good On You, a site that compiles information on the transparency, labor conditions, and business models of popular retailers. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.