Eco-anxiety, climate doom, environmental existential dread – as green journalists, we see these terms used lots – and infrequently feel them ourselves.
There’s lots to be nervous about with regards to the climate and nature crises, but when a way of hopelessness becomes the overarching emotion, apathy begins to creep in too. Last yr three environmental educators, all a part of EcoTok, penned this excellent piece for us about coping with eco-anxiety and the necessity to remain hopeful – or “stubbornly optimistic”, as Christiana Figueres puts it.
The media has an enormous part to play in combatting climate doom. It’s our job to be truthful and accurate in our reporting, not attempting to downplay the severity of the situation or greenwash reality. However it’s also our job to point out that there’s hope!
So, for 2022, as a part of our ongoing effort to tackle eco-anxiety (each that of our readers and our own), we’re going to be keeping track of all of the positive environmental stories from this yr.
This text might be commonly updated with the most recent excellent news. It might be something small and native, something silly that made us smile, or something enormous and potentially world-changing.
Should you come across an important, positive story that we have not covered here – please do reach out to us on social media, either on Instagram or Twitter to share your ideas.
Positive environmental stories from October 2022
Renewables have saved 230 million tonnes of CO2 emissions up to now in 2022
Renewables met the entire rise in global demand for electricity throughout the first half of 2022, a report from Ember shows.
The London-based energy think tank found that a rise in solar, wind and hydroelectric power prevented a possible 4 per cent rise in fossil fuel generation and a resulting 230 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. That’s the equivalent of taking greater than 49 million petrol-powered cars off the road for a yr.
Chile’s newest national park is a blossoming natural phenomenon
Despite the fact that Chile’s Atacama Desert is the sunniest and driest place on earth, rare flowers have recently bloomed.
It has prompted the Chilean government to call this region as its forty fourth national park to be able to protect this natural phenomenon.
Taiwan is transforming unused metro stations into underground vertical farms
Taiwan is using vacant metro spaces to grow sustainable, clean and organic food.
Advanced and efficient vertical farming methods are being harnessed to assist feed commuters with fresh produce.
Positioned at capital city Taipei’s Nanjing-Fushing Station, the 40 square-metre ‘Metro Fresh’ hydroponic farm grows lettuce under LED lighting in a sterile environment to eliminate using pesticides and herbicides.
Cigarette butts are become mosquito repellent and stuffing for soft toys at this Indian factory
An Indian factory is recycling cigarette butts into stuffing for soft toys.
“We began with 10 grams (of fibre per day) and now we’re doing 1,000 kilograms… Annually we’re in a position to recycle thousands and thousands of cigarette butts,” says factory owner Naman Gupta.
World-first nuclear fusion plant could generate carbon free energy by 2040
The world’s first industrial nuclear fusion reactor might be up and running by 2040, the UK government has pledged.
The plant – which could theoretically provide near-limitless clean energy – might be in-built Nottinghamshire.
Green Galatasaray: Turkish football giant saves almost €400,000 from its solar roof
A legendary Turkish football club has found a option to cut its energy costs and earn money from electricity while going green.
Galatasaray football club previously set a world record in March for the quantity of megawatts produced by the stadium’s solar panels, earning it a spot within the Guinness World Records.
Quality Street chocolates are getting an environmental makeover
A few of the UK’s most iconic chocolates are getting an environmentally-friendly makeover.
After 86 years, Quality Street chocolates will not be wrapped in vibrant foil and plastic packaging.
As a substitute, the treats – manufactured by Nestlé – might be wrapped in recyclable waxed paper.
Dutch flower growers are cutting costs through the use of cow poo as a substitute of shopping for gas
Between farming animals and growing flowers, the Netherlands has a high level of nitrogen emissions.
While the federal government is searching for large-scale legislative solutions, a part of the reply may very well be an old, tried-and-tested recipe: using nitrogen from animal manure in horticultural greenhouses.
By doing so, farmers eliminate their surplus nitrogen and horticulturists use less gas.
Beavers at the moment are a protected species in England 400 years after they were hunted to extinction
It’s now illegal to deliberately capture, injure, kill or otherwise disturb beavers within the UK.
“Changing the legal status of beavers is a game-changer for these amazing eco-engineers, which profit each other wildlife and folks,” says Joan Edwards, director of policy and public affairs at The Wildlife Trusts, which has pioneered their reintroduction.
Positive environmental stories from September 2022
‘Soil batteries’: Solar energy could sooner or later be stored in the bottom beneath our feet
A plentiful natural resource is being called on by researchers at Cardiff University to assist solve the issue of renewable energy storage.
An “adventurous” latest project to create a ‘soil battery’ uses earth’s teeming microbial life to transfer energy – and is one in every of dozens of vibrant ideas that has just got a serious funding boost from the UK government.
Could a ‘flying’ electric ferry be the right zero-carbon transport solution for busy cities?
Considered one of the world’s most advanced electric passenger ferries could soon link Belfast and Bangor in Northern Ireland.
With a top speed of 69 kilometres per hour, the vessels will “fly above the water” with underwater wings lifting up like a plane taking off.
They will carry as much as 150 passengers with the design reducing the strength of waves that may damage the shoreline. Raising the hull above water cuts drag, delivering estimated fuel cost savings of as much as 85 per cent compared to traditional diesel-powered ferries, the designers say.
Przewalski’s horse: Could cloning save this endangered species from extinction?
Formerly extinct within the wild, the Przewalski’s horse has survived for the past 40 years almost entirely in zoos all over the world.
Nevertheless a lot of the world’s 2,000-strong Przewalski’s population descends from just 12 wild horses saved from extinction. With such a limited gene pool, the long run of the species didn’t look healthy.
That was until, in 2020, the DNA of a Przewalski’s horse frozen 42 years ago was successfully cloned. The result’s a horse named Kurt, and lots rests on the shoulders of this little colt.
Wolves, bears and bison: 50 species make ‘spectacular’ comeback in Europe
Bears, wolves, and bison are making a comeback across Europe, latest research has revealed.
The animals are amongst 50 expanding species tracked in the brand new European Wildlife Comeback report.
From loggerhead turtles and Eurasian otters to humpback whales and wolverines, many previously-struggling species have made ‘spectacular’ recoveries.
From Scotland to Sweden: How smart cities are helping residents save energy
Dozens of smart solutions have been launched under an EU-funded project called RUGGEDISED, aiming to decarbonise three cities and encourage many more.
Umeå, Rotterdam and Glasgow have been built into ‘smart cities’ on some easy ideas around digitising transport, buildings and other infrastructure.
Meet the villagers who’ve formed deep bonds with migrating white storks
The European Stork Villages Network (ESVN) is a set of 15 villages from 15 different European countries, all with the most effective interests of the white stork at heart.
Unlike black storks, which seek privacy and avoid human contact, these sociable birds all the time try to seek out ways to be in close proximity to humans.
They construct their nests on roofs, go in people’s gardens, and eventually, turn out to be a component of their every day lives.
Spain makes history by giving personhood status to salt-water lagoon
Spain has granted personhood status to Europe’s largest salt-water lagoon in a primary for the continent.
Mar Menor lagoon has suffered massive die-offs of marine life attributable to degradation brought on by coastal development and native farming.
The brand new law got here into force after a citizen-led push to supply higher protection for the threatened ecosystem.
Denmark becomes first country to pay for ‘loss and damage’ from climate change
In September, it became the primary country to supply “loss and damage” compensation for those in probably the most climate vulnerable regions of the world.
“It’s grossly unfair that the world’s poorest should suffer probably the most from the results of climate change to which they’ve contributed the least,” Denmark’s development minister Flemming Møller Mortensen said when announcing the funds. He added that it was time for motion, not only words.
Cooking with sunlight: How one Japanese woman said goodbye to energy bills perpetually
62-year-old Tokyo resident Chikako Fujii hasn’t paid an electricity bill in 10 years.
Chikako doesn’t have a TV, oven, washer or air con. The one electricals she does own are powered by 4 solar panels, fitted on her balcony.
Europe’s central bank to provide corporations climate scores when buying bonds
The European Central Bank (ECB) said Monday that it’s going to give corporations climate scores before it buys their bonds and intends to prioritise those doing more to disclose and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Frankfurt, Germany-based central bank for the 19 countries that use the euro said it was taking the step to support the European Union’s climate goals.
The businesses’ scores would measure progress in reducing past emissions, plans to cut back them in the long run, and completeness of reporting the quantity of greenhouse gases they’re emitting.
Scientists predict the opening within the ozone layer will close in the subsequent 50 years
In 1987, just seven years after scientists discovered man-made chemicals were damaging the ozone layer, the Montreal Protocol was signed to attempt to curb the quantity of harmful chemicals within the atmosphere.
Now, latest research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the US has found that concentrations of harmful chemicals that damage the ozone layer have dropped by just over 50 per cent within the mid-level of the stratosphere in comparison with the Nineteen Eighties.
Scientists say it’s a “significant milestone” on the trail to recovery.
Dutch students have invented a zero-emissions automotive that captures carbon because it drives
Dutch students have invented a zero-emissions automotive that captures carbon because it drives.
Although EVs emit virtually no CO2 compared with their combustion-engine counterparts, battery cell production is extremely polluting. In consequence, it might probably take EVs tens of 1000’s of kilometres to attain ‘carbon parity’ with comparable fossil-fuelled models.
The scholars’ Zero Emission Mobility (ZEM) automotive goals to offset this using carbon capture technology. It features two filters that may capture as much as 2 kg of CO2 over 30,000 km of driving, the Eindhoven team estimates.
Carbon capture: Wyoming’s latest plant may very well be a game changer within the race to slow global warming
A latest project could suck thousands and thousands of tonnes of carbon from the air by the tip of the last decade.
Until recently, direct carbon capture – a style of technology that pulls carbon dioxide from the air and stores it underground – was the stuff of science fiction. But a US developer has unveiled plans for the world’s largest direct capture facility.
By 2030, ‘Project Bison’ hopes to capture five million tonnes of CO2 each year, roughly the equivalent of 5 million return flights between London and Latest York.
Patagonia and Ecosia: The massive corporations profiting the Earth because of eco-conscious founders
Patagonia’s billionaire founder has been praised for giving the corporate away to assist fight climate change.
Yvon Chouinard, who founded the outdoor apparel brand almost 50 years ago, is transferring his family’s ownership to a charitable trust, making Earth the only real shareholder and beneficiary of any profits not reinvested back into the business.
Considered one of these 5 teenagers will win almost €10,000 to develop their very own solution to climate change
An app that detects disease in crops and a tool that uses fish scales to retrieve heavy metals from wastewater are only two of the intense ideas from this yr’s Children’s Climate Prize finalists.
Young people aged 12 to 17 submitted their environment and climate solutions to the Children’s Climate Foundation competition, founded by Swedish renewable energy supplier Telge Energi.
2022’s entrepreneurial finalists hail from the US, India and Pakistan, whittled down from an inventory of nominees from every continent and over 30 different countries.
Shark speed dating: Basking sharks go round in circles trying to find love, scientists discover
Basking sharks spotted circling off the west coast of Ireland in a rarely-seen formation were engaged in ‘shark speed dating’, in response to marine biologists from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) and the Irish Basking Shark Group.
It’s hoped the brand new insight into the gentle giant’s ‘love dance’ will encourage further conservation measures in European waters, where they continue to be endangered.
This Finnish city is testing whether a green lifestyle has an impact in your health
Lahti, Finland, has invited a gaggle of local residents to try a ‘planetary health plan’ to see if making greener selections may very well be good in your health.
The participants’ carbon emissions and overall health were tracked before and after the experiment. One, whose plan focused on mindfulness and recovery, saw a 58 per cent reduction in his exhaustion levels.
One other, who added 40 per cent more vegetarian food to her eating regimen, reduced her dairy consumption and began to forage local foods, saw a 35 per cent drop in her personal carbon footprint.
Electric cars are getting cheaper: A sneak peek at GM’s sub-€30,000 Equinox EV
Despite rising battery costs, auto corporations are rolling out cheaper electric vehicles.
Last week, General Motors unveiled the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV, a small SUV with an expected starting price of around $30,000 (€29,500) – significantly cheaper than the present average of around $65,000 (€64,000) – and a range-per-charge of 400km.
Hitting a lower cost point without significantly sacrificing range is essential to getting mainstream buyers to change to electric vehicles.
Scything: The traditional farming skill making a comeback in Britain
Swapping out noisy, fuel-guzzling mowing machinery for a straightforward blade could promote mindfulness, reconnection with nature and wildlife conservation.
The centuries-old rural practice of scything has fallen out of favour in Britain. But Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust is undertaking a three-year project, investing in scythes, recruiting volunteers and identifying grasslands which might be hard to succeed in with machinery or need a distinct approach to guard their biodiversity.
Solar energy helped the EU avoid €29 billion in gas imports this summer
Solar energy accounted for 12.2 per cent of the European Union’s electricity generated this summer – the best share on record, in response to a latest report.
This power would have cost as much as €29 billion had it come from natural-gas burning plants, in response to analysts from energy think tank Ember.
Immunity boosting foods may very well be good for our health and for the planet
Researchers analysed probably the most often beneficial ‘immunity boosting foods’ on web search engines like google. And it seems 83 per cent of the two,556 recommendations were plant-based.
In addition they found that eating a serving of probably the most commonly beneficial ‘immunity boosting’ foods would end in lower impacts for greenhouse gas emissions and land use, and pose lower health risks compared with less beneficial foods.
Ads for climate-damaging meat set to be banned in Dutch city
The Dutch city of Haarlem is putting a ban on meat advertisements in public spaces, in what’s being hailed as a world first.
The ban, which is hoped to return into force in 2024, goals to cut back meat consumption and the impacts of the climate crisis. It can apply to meat that comes from large-scale industrial farming.
Swiss company invents green alternative to coffee pods
Aluminium and plastic pods utilized in coffee machines are a dangerous source of environmental waste.
Now, Swiss company Migros has launched a supposedly ‘eco-friendly’ alternative to coffee capsules. ‘Coffee balls’ – advertised as CoffeeB – are pre-ground, condensed spheres of coffee that dissolve in a capsule-like machine.
“CoffeeB solves the capsule waste problem, and tastes just nearly as good as traditional capsule coffee,” says company head Frank Wilde.
Scientists train dogs to smell out dangerous invasive species
Dogs can sniff out invasive fish in lakes without even seeing them, latest research suggests.
In lakes and rivers all over the world, carp are wreaking havoc on local species. Native to central Asia, these common fish infest freshwater lakes and rivers, outcompeting other animals.
But scientists have discovered a latest tool within the fight against the invasive creature – the powerful nose of man’s best friend.
World’s first zero emission ferry sets sails between Marseille and Corsica
Your next trip to Corsica may very well be kinder on the environment because of a latest ‘zero particle’ ferry connecting Marseille and Ajaccio.
In an industry first, the ferry’s fine-particle filtration system can capture 99 per cent of sulphur oxides and 99.9 per cent of wonderful and ultra-fine particles – the major air pollutants emitted by ships.
World’s oldest two-headed tortoise celebrates his twenty fifth birthday
Within the wild, a two-headed tortoise wouldn’t ordinarily survive long since it might probably’t retract its heads into its shell to shelter from predators. But this month, Janus – named after the two-faced Roman God – became the world’s oldest two-headed tortoise at 25.
Lovingly cared for at Geneva Natural History Museum, he’s treated to a personalised care regime – including every day massages and green tea baths – that keeps him in good health.
South African court revokes Shell’s oil and gas exploration rights
A South African court has banned Shell from trying to find fossil fuels along the country’s Wild Coast, a call hailed by campaigners as a “massive victory” for the planet.
The petroleum giant planned to conduct underwater explosions to locate deep-sea oil and gas reserves.
Activists took the matter to court, which ultimately ruled that Shell’s exploration rights were granted illegally by the federal government.
Solar panels provide shade and a second income for this German farm
An organic apple farm in western Germany has found an enterprising option to protect its produce during this yr’s unusually hot summer – and gained a second income in the method. Solar panels shade the orchards, allowing its owner to profit from his land.
At the identical time, research is being carried out to check which apple varieties thrive under the solar cover, and which sorts of photovoltaic roofs are best suited to the orchard. The outcomes could help prevent renewable energy production from competing for precious land with agriculture.
Hawaii closes its last coal power plant
Hawai’i’s only remaining coal-fired power plant closed this month after 30 years of operation, removing the state’s dirtiest source of electricity. The ability produced as much as one-fifth of the electricity on Oahu – probably the most populous island in a state of nearly 1.5 million people.
“It truly is about reducing greenhouse gases,” Hawai’i Governor David Ige said in an interview with The Associated Press. “And this coal facility is one in every of the most important emitters. Taking it offline implies that we’ll stop the 1.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gases that were emitted annually.”
Positive environmental stories from August 2022
Engineers are turning old wind turbine blades into gummy bears and nappies
Wind turbines may very well be given a really sweet second life because of a latest discovery from engineers within the US.
They’ve invented a latest style of resin, the fabric that coats turbine blades, that may very well be reused to make countertops, automotive tail lights, power tools, nappies and even gummy bears.
The breakthrough, from chemical engineers on the University of Michigan, could hold the important thing to one in every of the largest challenges that comes with wind power: the way to recycle turbine blades.
Rarest sea turtle on the planet hatches in Louisiana for the primary time in 75 years
After being dismissed as unviable for sea turtle life a long time ago, the Chandeleur Islands, off the coast of Latest Orleans, Louisiana, have seen the world’s most endangered turtles hatch again.
This marks the primary time Kemp Ridleys have hatched within the Chandeleur waters in 75 years. Hatching season takes place during June and July, and monitoring of the waters is ongoing for more fledgling sea turtles.
France offers €4,000 to swap cars for ebikes and considers banning private jets
As a part of President Macron’s plea for “collective sobriety” in energy use, French residents are being encouraged to trade of their cars for electric bikes.
A maximum of €4,000 is out there to low-income households in low-emission zones to subsidise the switch, with smaller amounts to assist wealthier residents.
The country can also be poised to crack down on using private jets for brief journeys. Transport minister Clément Beaune said the country could not tolerate the super wealthy using private planes while the general public are making cutbacks to cope with the energy crisis and climate change.
EV plug-sharing helps soothe the price of living
A growing number of electrical vehicle (EV) owners are opting to rent and let charging plugs in an try and beat price rises and convey in a bit of additional income.
The soaring cost of electricity has left EV owners with eye-watering bills. Sharing EV plugs is one local solution, with added advantages in areas where the rollout of public chargers isn’t maintaining with demand.
France becomes first European country to ban fossil fuel ads
France has turn out to be the primary European country to ban adverts for fossil fuels under a latest climate law.
Announced on 22 August, the laws prohibits promoting for all energy products related to fossil fuels equivalent to petrol products, energy from the combustion of coal mining and hydrogen-containing carbons.
Adverts for natural gas are still allowed for now but latest rules are set to be introduced in June next yr.
Scientists invent low cost aluminium-sulphur alternative to lithium-ion batteries
Green energy currently relies totally on lithium-ion batteries for storage, but lithium shouldn’t be probably the most environmentally friendly, low cost or protected chemical element we may very well be using.
Now, scientists from MIT have created a latest battery produced from aluminium and sulfur. Aluminium is the second most plentiful metal on the planet, after iron. It’s also low cost. Sulfur is the least costly non-metal element. As a waste product from petrol refinement, it’s abundant. The complete battery may be made for a couple of sixth of the price of its lithium equivalent.
This tiny floating leaf could decarbonise a few of the world’s biggest polluters
Cargo ships could sooner or later be powered by ‘artificial leaves’ floating out at sea. University of Cambridge Researchers have designed lightweight, flexible devices that use solar technology to convert light into fuel.
At just 1mm thick, the ultra-thin ‘leaves’ can float on water – and will eventually go “almost anywhere,” in response to study lead Professor Erwin Reisner.
Ants could replace harmful pesticides and save the bees, scientists say
Pesticides may be immensely harmful to insect species – especially bees. But anew study has found that ants can protect crops from damage just in addition to harmful pesticides, at lower costs.
Ants protect crops from pests like caterpillars and bugs. Their labyrinthine-like tunnels also aerate the soil, helping plants suck up oxygen. Researchers checked out 26 species of ants, and located that the critters may very well be a ‘promising tool’ within the fight against other pests.
Vibrant solar panels could make green architecture more attractive
For some architects, the looks of ordinary monochrome solar panels is an obstacle when integrating them into projects.
Now researchers from the American Chemical Society have created solar panels that may tackle an entire range of colors while producing energy just as efficiently as traditional ones.
Community energy is an answer to the eye-watering rise in energy bills – here’s how Sardinia did it
With energy bills set to double in the subsequent yr, persons are searching for latest ways to reclaim power. Community energy may very well be the answer. This system sees residents produce their very own renewable power and share the proceeds (energy and money) amongst the community.
Here’s how Italian villages on the island of Sardinia cut their bills by producing their very own energy.
Ecuador leads the best way in working alongside Indigenous groups to guard sacred rainforest
In an unprecedented show of solidarity, communities within the Amazon, NGOs and native governments are teaming up to guard Ecuador’s rainforest.
Named the Amazonian Platform for Forests, Climate and Human Wellbeing, the collective goals to combat climate change, and protect critical ecosystems and threatened species, while incorporating the vision of the Indigenous nationalities who live within the region.
This paper battery could curb the environmental impact of single-use electronics
Researchers on the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have developed a paper battery with a water switch that may very well be used to power single-use disposable electronics.
Once they iron out some kinks in the event, it may very well be used for smart labels to trace objects like packages. Other applications include environmental sensors and even medical devices, the researchers say.
Because paper and zinc are biodegradable, they consider the battery could help reduce the environmental impact of single-use electronics.
The world’s fastest electric ship is withdrawing on Stockholm’s waterways next yr
The world’s fastest electric ship will set sail in Stockholm next yr, slashing environmental impacts and commuter time.
The Candela P-12 is a 30-passenger “flying ferry” that may reach speeds of 30 knots. Even higher, the ship is alleged to be probably the most energy-efficient yet.
The P-12’s flying ability and subsequent lack of wake prevent wave damage to sensitive shorelines and nature brought on by conventional passenger ships.
Cheetahs are being reintroduced to India after 70 years of extinction
In India, cheetahs have been extinct for over half a century. In August 2022, nevertheless, the massive cats will finally return to the country.
An ambitious conservation project goals to relocate a gaggle of cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia to India. It marks the primary try and move a big carnivore across continents with the aim of reintroducing it into the wild.
Over the subsequent few years, India hopes to bring cheetahs back to several of its national parks and reserves.
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef shows best signs of coral recovery in 36 years
Two-thirds of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef showed the most important amount of coral cover in 36 years.
“What we’re seeing is that the Great Barrier Reef remains to be a resilient system. It still maintains that ability to get better from disturbances,” says the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences monitoring programme leader, Mike Emslie.
The reef still stays vulnerable to increasingly frequent mass bleaching, nevertheless, in response to an official long-term monitoring programme report.
Long lost iguana ‘born again’ on Galapagos Island after nearly two centuries of extinction
A lost species of iguana has been ‘born again’ on the Galápagos Islands for the primary time in nearly 200 years.
The Galápagos Island land iguana was last spotted on Santiago Island greater than 187 years ago. Ecologists determined that the reptiles were locally extinct.
But three years ago, 1000’s of the creatures were reintroduced to the islands – and latest images prove that the lizard is breeding once more.
Tax the wealthy: Canada imposes latest levy on luxury cars, yachts and personal jets
Canada is ready to impose a latest ‘luxury tax’ on the sale and importation of high-value cars, planes and boats. Coming into effect on 1 September 2022, the Select Luxury Items Tax Act is billed as a part of the federal government’s commitment to a fairer tax system.
It can be certain that “those Canadians who can afford to purchase luxury goods are contributing a bit of more,” in response to an announcement on the Government of Canada’s website.
Positive environmental stories from July 2022
Berlin’s Tegel airport to be transformed into environmentally friendly 10,000 person community
Eco-conscious German property hunters now have the prospect to make Berlin’s former airport-turned-residential community their home.
The ambitious 5-million sqm ‘Tegel Projekt’ renovation will transform the disused Tegel airport right into a 10,000-person, 5,000-apartment community with shops, restaurants, schools and parks.
Vertical gardens will keep the apartment blocks cool without the necessity for energy-guzzling air con, while the largely-pedestrianised community will put bikes before cars. Electric buses and a tramway are slated as future developments.
Surprise climate deal may very well be the ‘most important’ in US history, says Joe Biden
An unexpected deal reached by Senate Democrats could be probably the most ambitious motion ever taken by america to deal with global warming.
The huge bill, which revives motion on climate change, could help President Joe Biden come near meeting his pledge to chop greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.
It proposes nearly $370 billion (€362 billion) of spending over 10 years to spice up electric vehicles, jump-start renewable energy equivalent to solar and wind power and develop alternative energy sources like hydrogen.
Environmental defenders have a good time a ‘huge’ win for ‘unique’ Tasmanian rainforest
Environmentalists who took legal motion to forestall a toxic waste dump in an ancient pocket of Tasmania’s Tarkine rainforest are celebrating a federal court win.
Chinese mining company MMG gained approval to open a tailings dam near the town of Rosebery on the island’s west coast.
In July, federal court justice Mark Moshinsky upheld a Tasmanian NGO’s objection to the project on the grounds that the endangered Tasmanian masked owl was not properly considered before approval was granted. A latest assessment is now set to happen, effectively halting MMG’s plans for the dam.
France could make it legal to make use of cooking oil as fuel in bid to battle cost of living crisis
Using cooking oil being to power diesel engines has been illegal in France – until now.
In July, France’s parliament voted on a €20 billion package in response to rising inflation and potential energy shortages this winter. Although the bills still have to go through the Senate, one in every of them will allow and endorse the possible usage of frying oil as fuel for vehicles.
Not only could this provide relief for French wallets amid rising fuel prices, it could help limit pollution from diesel engines.
Tiny floating cardboard homes may very well be the long run of sustainable Dutch living
As urban planners grapple with Rotterdam’s space problem, one company, Wikkelboat, has an idea: tiny floating homes produced from cardboard.
Protected with a water-proof coating, these small buildings are insulated, durable, and have low production emissions.
The floating mini-buildings have a wide range of uses equivalent to hotels, event spaces, offices and temporary accommodation. And it’s hoped they may very well be a part of an answer to develop Dutch cities on the water.
UK energy bills to drop next yr because of record-breaking investment in renewables
Rising energy costs are plaguing homes across Europe but within the UK, there may very well be some excellent news.
In July, the federal government invested record-breaking amounts into renewables with the capability to generate as much as 11 gigawatts of energy. That is enough to power 12 million homes directly.
It could help generate electricity at prices around 4 times lower than the present cost of gas.
Conservationist Jane Goodall honoured with recycled plastic Barbie doll
World famous toy company Mattel has launched a doll of renowned conservationist Jane Goodall.
It comes with all of the accessories any aspiring naturalist may wish including a model of David Greybeard, the primary chimp to trust Jane when she was carrying out her groundbreaking research on these animals. It’s also produced from 75 per cent recycled plastic.
The primatologist said that she hopes it’s going to provide a positive female role model for young girls.
‘Sand batteries’ may very well be key breakthrough in storing solar and wind energy year-round
Solar energy stored in ‘sand batteries’ could help get Finns through the long cold winter, which is ready to be even tougher after Russia stopped its gas and electricity supplies.
The brand new technology has been devised by young Finnish engineers Tommi Eronen and Markku Ylönen, founders of Polar Night Energy, but may very well be used worldwide.
Though various other research groups are testing the boundaries of sand as green energy storage, the pair are the primary ones to successfully rig it to a industrial power station.
Dolphin poo plays ‘significant role’ in helping coral reefs survive, says latest study
Dolphin poo may very well be the important thing to saving the world’s coral reefs, in response to a latest study.
Spinner dolphins, famous for his or her acrobatic marina displays, have some very special excrement. Their poo has “reef-enhancing nutrients” which aren’t to be underestimated, a report by Zoological Society London (ZSL) finds.
The dolphins are giving threatened coral reefs within the Maldives and Chagos Archipelago a helping hand by pooing within the shallow lagoons. Published this week, the study shows that the quantity of nitrogen absorbed by spinner dolphins during their every day commute can improve coral reef productivity and resilience.
This tiny bacteria could change air travel perpetually
Forget fossil fuel travel – airplanes could sooner or later run on sugar-munching bacteria.
Conventional jet fuel is created by burning fossil fuels like oil and gas, generating a mammoth carbon footprint. But a tiny common soil bacteria could change all this.
The ‘streptomyces’ bacteria creates an ‘explosive’ molecule when it eats sugar and researchers claim it may very well be used as alternative plane fuel.
“If we will make this fuel with biology there’s no excuses to make it with oil,” says Pablo Cruz-Morales, a microbiologist on the Technical University of Denmark.
Scientists develop heat resilient plants to survive climate change
A research team at US and Chinese universities say they’ve discovered a option to help plants survive extreme heat.
With agricultural crops all over the world threatened by rising temperatures, this research could help plants resist climate change.
If the findings may be applied to commonly grown crops, it may very well be vital for shielding food supplies during heatwaves.
Sunflowers and dried mangoes are the important thing to surviving climate change in rural Zimbabwe
One afternoon in Mupindi Village, Gokwe South, greater than 400 kilometres from Zimbabwe’s capital Harare, a smallholder farmer called Bernard Mupindi is pruning the rough, hairy triangular leaves that grow across the stem of a sunflower.
The blooming yellow sunflowers on this 3.5-hectare piece of land are lower than a month away from harvest. Mupindi still recalls growing sunflowers for his family to eat around a decade ago, but he had no idea how quickly that might change.
Little did he know, growing sunflowers would soon serve to counter the results of climate change.
Switzerland has spent 14 years and €2 billion constructing this ‘water battery’
A water battery able to storing electricity such as 400,000 electric automotive batteries will begin operating in Switzerland next week.
The pumped storage power plant was built right into a subterranean cavern within the Swiss canton of Valais.
With the flexibility to store and generate vast quantities of hydroelectric energy, the battery will play a very important role in stabilising power supplies in Switzerland and Europe.
Positive environmental stories from June 2022
I planted an enormous sequoia tree and offset the carbon footprint of my entire life
Our very own Green deputy editor, Maeve Campbell, meets Henry Emson from ‘One Life, One Tree’ to plant an enormous sequoia within the British countryside.
So why are sequoias so special? Watch the video to see what happened.
‘Stop suffocating your vagina’: Reusable period pad launches to assist women have plastic-free periods
A Danish startup is pioneering reusable menstrual products to assist women go plastic-free on their period.
The corporate’s latest product, LastPad, launched this week – after a successful Kickstarter campaign raised greater than 20 times its initial fundraising goal back in 2021.
LastPad is a reusable menstrual pad for planet-friendly periods that “doesn’t compromise on comfort and protection.” It is available in three sizes (from pantyliners to overnight pads) and is made with three layers.
Local branch of UK’s biggest church is first to pledge climate motion
Christians within the Oxford district of England are being asked to take a really specific pledge to guard the environment.
Any further, those that undertake confirmation or baptism ceremonies at the massive Church of England diocese – which spans the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire – may even need to commit to climate motion.
The Bishop of Oxford, Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, recently approved a revision to the formal liturgy which incorporates the next lines,
‘Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the lifetime of the earth? With the assistance of God I’ll.’
These plastic-gobbling inventions keep rubbish out of the ocean
Thousands and thousands of tonnes of plastic wind up within the ocean every yr, killing plants and animals. That’s why corporations all over the world have developed novel devices to assist reduce the ocean plastic problem.
Dutch company RanMarine has deployed several 157-centimetre wide aquatic drones called WasteSharks that capture rubbish and convey it back to land.
The drones can hold 160 litres of trash, floating plants and algae, in response to RanMarine Technology.
Extinct ‘improbable giant tortoise’ found alive on the Galápagos Islands
This species was thought to have been extinct for greater than a century, the one known specimen discovered in 1906. A lone female tortoise was discovered in 2019 on Fernandina island within the Galápagos, providing a touch that the species should be alive.
Now scientists have proved that the 2 individuals are the truth is related, opening up further mysteries concerning the species’ survival.
Leuven: This forward-thinking city has banned cars from its centre
In 2020, Leuven in Belgium was named the European Capital of Innovation. It invested its €1 million prize money properly, striving to turn out to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Leuven has turn out to be a cycling paradise with cars taking a back seat on its roads. It’s now the one city in Belgium where bikes are literally the popular mode of transport. Because of a robust green mobility plan, cycling has increased by an astounding 40 per cent.
These Scottish villagers bought a nature reserve – now they’re fundraising to double its size
In Langholm, near Gretna Green on the English border, the community raised €4.5 million last yr. They desired to buy 2,100 hectares of land from the Duke of Buccleuch, one in every of the UK’s strongest landowners.
The villagers were successful and have already seen results from their protection of this land. Now they’re fundraising again to double the dimensions of this community takeover.
World’s largest vertical farm is being in-built the UK and it’s the dimensions of 96 tennis courts
The UK is heavily depending on imported foods – especially with regards to fruit and veg. Nearly half of all food eaten within the country comes from overseas.
But one company is hoping to unravel this problem by constructing what might be the world’s largest vertical farm in Lincolnshire, England. It is ready to open in autumn this yr.
With a lower environmental impact than traditional agriculture, they hope that this revolutionary solution will produce certain crops one year a yr without increasing our air miles. We could see British-grown strawberries at Christmas before we realize it.
Back from the brink of extinction: The Spix’s Macaws are returning to the wild
It has been 20 years since this small blue parrot has been seen within the wild. Illegal trade, hunting, and destruction of its habitat led to its disappearance.
But one in every of the rarest birds on this planet could soon be set for a comeback. A German NGO is working hard to breed a latest population of Spix’s Macaws, bringing their number as much as 180 healthy individuals.
World’s largest plant: Scientists ‘blown away’ by 180km long seagrass discovered off Australia
This seagrass covers an area roughly thrice the dimensions of Manhattan. It was discovered by scientists on the University of Western Australia and Flinders University.
Initially, they thought it was a meadow of various grasses but have discovered that the incredibly long plant is only one seagrass. They consider it has survived the impact of climate change thanks to at least one special trait – it has been reproducing asexually.
Finland is aiming to go carbon negative by 2040 – here’s how
Finland will turn out to be the primary European country to succeed in net zero if it meets ambitious climate targets passed into law by the federal government. However it desires to go one step further than that by becoming carbon negative by 2040.
The country remains to be having issues with deforestation but is currently working on a plan to enhance the carbon emissions of the land-use sector. It also has a wealth of natural resources it might probably depend on to assist reach its carbon negative goal.
Positive environmental stories from May 2022
Last 10 vaquitas aren’t ‘doomed’ to extinction
The plight of vaquitas has only worsened lately, but scientists have some relatively excellent news concerning the little porpoise.
Despite only around 10 individuals still existing in Mexico, a team of biologists have found that the species stays healthy and may survive – as long as illegal fishing of their waters stops.
Vaquitas, which belong to the cetacean family of dolphins and whales, are the world’s rarest marine mammals. With large dark rings around their eyes and dark patches on their lips resembling smiles, they’ve long been a poster child of conservation groups.
But despite their endearing appearance to humans, there’s a tragic probability they’ll disappear in our lifetime unless quick motion is taken.
Solar panels may very well be on all Europe’s public buildings by 2025
The European Commission is hoping to jumpstart a large-scale rollout of solar energy and rebuild Europe’s solar manufacturing industry.
The plan is a component of its bid to wean countries off Russian fossil fuels.
“Solar electricity and warmth are key for phasing out EU’s dependence on Russian natural gas,” the Commission said within the draft, attributable to be published next week in a package of proposals to finish the European Union’s reliance on Russian oil and gas.
Spanish diver rescues 12-metre long whale who was trapped in an illegal fishing net
In a gripping underwater rescue, Spanish divers have freed a 12-metre long humpback whale entangled in an illegal drift net off the Balearic island of Mallorca.
Considered one of the divers was 32-year-old marine biologist Gigi Torras.
Torras said last Friday that the rescue was an important birthday present for her – the ‘best ever’ in her words. She also felt that she received a bit of gesture of appreciation from the large mammal itself.
“It was like out of this world, it was incredible, just incredible,” she said.
These surgeons have performed the primary ‘net-zero’ cancer operation
The world’s first ‘net-zero’ operation has been performed within the UK, paving the best way for more sustainable practices in healthcare.
Doctors at Solihull Hospital within the West Midlands carried out a five-hour bowel cancer surgery that was completely carbon neutral.
Though patients’ health is in fact the priority, hospitals have a surprisingly large carbon footprint. The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) accounts for around 6 per cent of the country’s total CO2 emissions.
Which makes last month’s operation all of the more significant. Consultant colorectal surgeon Aneel Bhangu says that – as a high emitter – the NHS can have an impact on people’s health within the medium and long term.
Human urine may very well be an efficient and fewer polluting crop fertiliser
It’d sound disgusting, but scientists are pretty confident this unique natural solution may very well be a great alternative to chemical fertilisers.
Urine shouldn’t be normally a serious carrier of disease and doesn’t need to be heavily processed before it might probably be used on crops.
It could mean completely rethinking toilets to capture the urine before it results in the sewers. Prototypes were first tested in Swedish ecovillages within the Nineteen Nineties but now experiments are being carried out all over the world.
Positive environmental stories from April 2022
This man won the lottery and is using his €200m winnings to create an environmental charity
We love this story just because it shows how sensible people may be.
The winner wrote an open letter, while keeping his anonymity, to elucidate why he has made the wonderful decision.
Cannot recommend reading this piece enough, especially if you happen to’re feeling down concerning the world.
Meet the sloth cubs ‘learning to be wild again’ at this orphanage
Did you realize that sloths are probably the most endangered mammals on the planet?
The problems begin young in Costa Rica, with many cubs found orphaned.
But this rehabilitation centre is doing amazing work with these mammals and helping the population survive.
Solar energy can now be stored for as much as 18 years
This was one in every of our top-performing articles this month – it seems our readers just cannot get enough content about solar energy!
And this was some particularly excellent news to receive.
Switzerland’s biggest city is popping off gas for good
Because the IPCC report calls for us to completely leave fossil fuels behind, it is usually nice after we see that put in motion.
With the tragic war in Ukraine as a catalyst behind this decision, it’s hard to feel entirely positive about this news – nevertheless it’s undoubtedly a step in the proper direction from a climate perspective.
These chimpanzees were tested on for years after which abandoned to die on an island
Okay, hear us out. This does not sound like a positive story…and it isn’t – for probably the most part.
But there’s some hope at the tip, and it is a portion of environmental history everyone should know more about.
‘Night solar panels’ are in a position to generate enough energy to charge a phone. But how do they work?
Specially designed panels could help solve the present problems with solar energy, by generating power once the sun has gone down.
The panels were discovered in 2020, when scientists on the University of California Davis, US, hit the mainstream.
Created by Professor Jeremy Munday and coined ‘anti-solar cells’, the answer allows us to reap electricity from the night sky. Research conducted this yr now confirms these nighttime solar panels produce enough energy to charge a cell phone.
Positive environmental stories from March 2022
A US billionaire has turned Chile’s Patagonia region right into a national treasure
That is an additional sensible story, since it also helps save an endangered species too – the Andean huemul deer.
There are just one,500 of them left on this planet, and the Cerro Castillo National Park in Patagonia, Chile is home to lots of these remaining deer.
This region has been protected by US billionaire Douglas Tompkins, also the founding father of The North Face, who dedicated his fortune to conservation.
Wind and solar energy growth finally on target to fulfill climate targets
Solar and wind power can grow enough to limit global warming to 1.5C if the 10-year average growth rate of 20 per cent may be maintained to 2030, in response to a latest report.
Solar generation rose 23 per cent globally in 2021, while wind supply gained 14 per cent over the identical period. Together, each renewable sources accounted for 10.3 per cent of total global electricity generation, up 1 per cent from 2020.
The Netherlands, Australia and Vietnam had the fastest growth rates for renewable sources.
“If these trends may be replicated globally, and sustained, the facility sector could be on target for 1.5 degree goal,” thinktank Ember said in its report.
Sweden’s revolutionary picket skyscraper captures as much carbon as 10,000 forests
With the most important percentage of forestland in Europe, Sweden is latest ways to include trees into its architecture.
This picket skyscraper in the town of Skelleftea is constructed from over 12,000 cubic metres of wood – and is able to sequestering nine million kilograms of carbon dioxide throughout its lifetime.
Could this be 2022’s greenest innovation yet?
Italian fisherman sinks illegal trawlers with ‘other worldly’ underwater sculptures
Paulo Fanciulli has been fishing on the wild expanses of the Maremma coastline for over 40 years. Within the late Nineteen Eighties, he began to notice the signs of illegal trawling and decided to act.
So, the ‘House of Fish’ sculpture park was born with 39 sculptures product of local Carrera marble currently sunk to the underside of the ocean. They snag on the heavy nets utilized by illegal fishermen and encourage marine life back into the waters.
This tiger family is starting a latest life after 15 years living in a train carriage
Abandoned by the circus, a family of 4 tigers spent years living in a cramped train carriage in Argentina. They’d never felt grass under their paws or walked on the earth.
After being discovered by authorities in 2021, a team of veterinarians and wildlife experts from 4 Paws International spent months working to relocate them.
Now, after a 70 hour journey, they’ve arrived at their latest home, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. Here they’ll be the closest to their natural habitat they’ve been in years – perhaps even for the primary time.
Panama brings in latest law granting nature the ‘right to exist’
Groundbreaking latest laws in Panama has granted nature the “right to exist, persist and regenerate its life cycles. It means parliament will now have to think about the impact of its laws and policies on the natural world.
The country now joins Colombia, Latest Zealand, Chile and Mexico which have granted nature legal protection, either through their constitutions or the court system.
This billionaire desires to buy up Australia’s coal plants – simply to shut them down
Billionaires often have quite a foul popularity with regards to climate change. But Mike Cannon-Brookes, the third richest person in Australia is trying to vary that.
Frustrated with the Australian government’s disregard for the climate, he’s attempting to buy three of the country’s coal power plants. The aim is to do what the federal government won’t by shutting them down for good and replacing them with renewable energy.
‘Most important environmental deal since Paris’: UN agree on landmark plastic pollution treaty
In what the UN Environment Agency has called “probably the most significant environmental deal for the reason that Paris accord,” government officials punched the air after they agreed to create the primary global plastic pollution treaty.
The main points of the ultimate, legally binding pact are still being worked out nevertheless it could have big ripple effects on businesses and economies all over the world. It’s attributable to be finalised by 2024.
Positive environmental stories from February 2022
China opens its first vertical forest city to residents
We’re huge fans of Italian architect Stefano Boeri, and his latest project in China is yet one more example of biophilic design at work.
The forest city will absorb around 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide every yr, while emitting roughly 10 tonnes of oxygen.
And the buildings are only stunning.
Blasting bananas with light could pave the best way for more eco-friendly biomass
It is a lengthy headline, but bear with us. It seems that if we zap banana peels with a robust lamp, renewable energy is immediately generated.
This can be a bizarre discovery – our favourite kind at Euronews Green – and it might probably even be done with corn cobs, coffee beans and coconut shells.
Arnold Schwarzenegger desires to ‘teminate pollution’
The actor, former Republican politician and environmentalist has pledged to “terminate pollution.”
While the green movement is not in need of celebrity backers, it’s good to see support from each side of the American political spectrum.
Positive environmental stories from January 2022
Bleached coral reefs can still provide nutrition
Although coral reefs everywhere in the world have been damaged by rising sea temperatures, resulting in wide-scale bleaching – it seems these ghostly white tropical reefs appear to still remain wealthy sources of micronutrients.
This does not imply we should always stop trying to forestall coral bleaching events, nevertheless it does mean that where the damage has been done, there remains to be some hope. This is especially excellent news for the various coastal communities that depend on reefs for food.
Europe’s greenest city has free public transport and highways for bees
There’s lots we will learn from Tallinn it seems. The Estonian capital is ready to be the European Green Capital for 2023, attributable to its revolutionary and modern approach to sustainability.
What’s particularly impressive about Tallinn is that it was once home to various heavily polluting industries. It is a shining example of how change is all the time possible, and hopefully a blueprint for other cities in Europe and beyond.
Students have designed a ‘floating house’ to avoid wasting people from floods
That is a great example of crisis resulting in innovation. While the explanation for the invention remains to be deeply troubling, the scholars behind this project have created something truly sensible.
Their design is in a position to provide shelter for a minimum of six weeks, and may very well be used as storage for food, water, medicine and sanitation products as a part of resilience programmes.
This tiny Mexican fish has been saved from extinction
There’s something really compelling about any story to do with a species returning from the brink of extinction. While it’s in fact terrible that things reached a tipping point like this, it also goes to point out that there’s all the time hope – even when the worst possible final result seems inevitable.
This particular case is fascinating. The tiny tequila splitfin disappeared from the wild in 2003 attributable to human activity, but because of the efforts of conservation centres, colonies of this little freshwater species are thriving once more.
The Australian start-up fighting deforestation with a military of drones
While the climate crisis gets probably the most attention, the biodiversity crisis is something we should always all be paying lots more attention to. That is why this company’s project, combining AI with drones, is so improbable. It is a faster, cheaper option to tackle deforestation.
At the identical time, nevertheless, it doesn’t cause the problems often found with tree-planting schemes. The tactic is designed to spice up the health of the encompassing ecosystem, while being careful to avoid monocrops and non-native species.
Making conferences virtual or hybrid could significantly mitigate climate change
We were shocked to learn that (pre-pandemic) the worldwide conference industry produced as much greenhouse gas emissions as everything of america. It is a seriously polluting sector, but a recent study has found that moving to more online-only and hybrid events could majorly profit the planet.
Based on the 2021 IPCC report, we’ve 8.3-9.7 years before we exceed the 1.5℃ global warming limit. But researchers say that moving conferences online could extend that deadline by around 1.5 years.
Oceanographers rejoice after pristine coral reef discovery in Tahiti
Diving within the waters off of Tahiti’s tropical coastline, marine researchers uncovered one in every of the most important coral reefs ever found. And, unlike lots of its counterparts, it appears to be completely unaffected by human activity.
Although they occupy just 0.1 per cent of the ocean floor, coral reefs are home to 1 / 4 of all marine life.
So it is easy to see why that is such good news.
Solar-powered bikers are busting illegal wildlife poachers in South Africa
This improbable story fuses together two areas of interest for lots of us within the climate movement: protecting nature and clean energy.
Our journalist Rosie Frost spoke with the amazing Swedish company behind the initiative to seek out out more.
We might be updating this text commonly, with the most recent positive environmental stories and breakthroughs from all over the world. Should you spot an important idea we have not covered, please tell us on Twitter or Instagram.
