Eco-anxiety, climate doom, environmental existential dread – as green journalists, we see these terms used loads – and sometimes feel them ourselves.
There’s loads to be apprehensive about relating to the climate and nature crises, but when a way of hopelessness becomes the overarching emotion, apathy begins to creep in too. Last 12 months 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 indicate 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 12 months.
This text will likely be usually updated with the newest excellent news. It might be something small and native, something silly that made us smile, or something enormous and potentially world-changing.
If you happen to come across an excellent, positive story that we’ve 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
Norway is strengthening its emissions targets ahead of COP27
Norway has raised its goal for cutting climate-related emissions to at the very least 55 per cent by 2030.
The federal government announced its latest commitment just days before the beginning of COP27 in Egypt. Its previous goal was to chop emissions by between 50 per cent and 55 per cent before the tip of the last decade.
Germany’s latest plastics bill could see businesses contribute €450 million per 12 months to litter cleanups
Plastic manufacturers in Germany will soon be forced to pay towards litter collecting.
Starting in 2025, a latest bill would require makers of products containing single-use plastic to pay right into a central fund managed by the federal government. The fund will collect an estimated €450 million in the primary 12 months, which can contribute to the fee of cleansing up litter in streets and parks.
India’s first fully solar powered village helps residents to avoid wasting money and time
The village of Modhera in western India’s Gujarat state has turn into the country’s first to run entirely on solar energy.
India, the world’s third-largest carbon dioxide emitter, goals to satisfy half of its energy demands from renewable sources, comparable to solar and wind, by 2030.
Slapping salmons and farting zebras: 2022’s Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
This 12 months’s Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards finalists elevate the funniest animal images to an artform, distilling dozens of astonishing moments from the animal kingdom.
Timing is every part in each comedy and photography, because the snapshots of a bear-slapping salmon and an oblivious heron clarify.
China is constructing the world’s largest wind farm and it could power 13m homes
China is planning the world’s largest wind farm, a facility so huge it could power the entire of Norway.
Chaozhou – a city in China’s Guangdong province – has revealed ambitious plans for a 43.3 gigawatt facility within the Taiwan Strait.
Due to the windy location, its turbines will have the option to run between 43 per cent and 49 per cent of the time.
Britain’s biggest bank will now not finance latest oil and gas fields
Lloyds, Britain’s biggest domestic bank, has announced it can not finance latest oil and gas fields.
It joins a small variety of other lenders reducing funding for fossil fuels, including NatWest, which cut lending to clients within the oil and gas sector by 21 per cent in 2021.
A part of the bank’s climate policy, the move bars project financing or reserve-based lending to greenfield oil and gas projects.
Asian tigers, leopards and elephants can thrive near humans, research shows
Tigers, elephants and leopards in Asia are defying 12,000 years of extinction trends by thriving alongside humans, latest research reveals.
“These results challenge the narrative inside some conservation circles that humans and megafauna are incompatible,” says University of Queensland researcher and PhD candidate Zachary Amir.
Solar lamps created from e-waste are one solution to Nigeria’s power outages
Through his business, QuadLoop, Nigerian entrepreneur Dozie Igweilo recycles parts from old electricals to supply low-cost solar lamps.
When Nigeria’s national grid collapses – which happens often – these lamps help small businesses keep the lights on without counting on expensive generators.
Your burger could soon come wrapped in packing created from seaweed
Researchers from Flinders University in Australia have partnered with a German biomaterials developer to create a sustainable alternative to oil-proof plastic wrapping.
The seaweed based biopolymer is as recyclable as paper and could possibly be used to wrap greasy burgers, fries, and nuggets.
Wild baby bison born within the UK for first time in 1000’s of years after surprise pregnancy
A baby bison has been born within the UK for the primary time in millennia as a part of a groundbreaking rewilding project.
The comfortable surprise was discovered by rangers carrying out checks on a herd of bison in West Blean and Thornden Woods, near Canterbury in October.
The calf’s mother and two other female bison were released into the woodland back in July as a part of a wilding initiative between Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust, to combat the climate and biodiversity crises.
India’s first solar-powered village is ‘transforming’ residents lives, says UN chief
India’s first solar-powered village is setting an example of “reconciliation between humankind and planet” in accordance with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The UN chief visited Modhera in Gujarat, India, as a part of a three-day trip to the country. A solar energy project commissioned in 2021 has provided its 1000’s of residents with good enough renewable energy to power their homes.
Children’s COP: Young people given a ‘seat on the table’ for the primary time in Egypt
For the primary time ever, children may have an official space at a UN climate change conference in Egypt in November.
The newly-announced Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27 will enable them to carry discussions and policy briefings.
French farmers are covering crops with solar panels to supply food and energy at the identical time
Agrivoltaics – the practice of using land for each solar energy and agriculture – is on the rise across France.
Within the Haute-Saône region, within the northeastern a part of the country, an experiment is being conducted by solar-energy company TSE. It’s hoping to seek out out whether solar energy will be generated without hindering large-scale cereal crops.
Green lawyers triumph as UK admits its net zero strategy is illegal
The UK government has conceded that its plan to chop carbon emissions is insufficient, and must now give you a greater one.
Last week, business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg quietly dropped plans to appeal against a High Court ruling from July that found the federal government’s net zero strategy was illegal.
It has cemented the victory of environmental lawyers from ClientEarth, Friends of the Earth and the Good Law Project, who’re calling the choice “an embarrassing but welcome climbdown”.
These EU countries are aiming for 100 per cent clean power by 2030
Decarbonisation targets and the shift to renewable power have sped up in some EU countries as they give the impression of being to scale back their reliance in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The bloc as a complete is hoping now to succeed in 82 per cent clean energy by 2030. But a handful of EU nations are accelerating fossil fuel phase-outs, looking to succeed in 100 per cent clean power by the tip of the last decade, in accordance with energy think tank Ember’s EU power targets tracker.
Repair cafes: Contained in the high street hubs giving broken electronics a latest lease of life
European homes have a median of 74 electricals, in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Forum (WEEE). Even only one item malfunctioning could possibly be very costly.
But what if as an alternative of replacing this stuff after they break, we could repair them without cost? That’s where repair cafes are available.
Norway to slash pollution with the world’s first zero-emissions public transport network
Oslo is on target to turn into the primary capital city on this planet with an all-electric public transport system.
Norway’s capital hopes to succeed in this goal by the tip of 2023 as a part of its aim to turn into the world’s first wholly emissions-free city by 2030.
The transport push entails replacing the town’s diesel-fuelled buses with 450 electric ones. It’s hoped the five hundred million crown (€48 million) programme will save the town money over the long run.
Scientists dream up an enormous floating solar farm in space
It appears like the stuff of science fiction – but Europe might sooner or later be powered by giant floating solar panels orbiting the planet.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled a plan to reap the sun’s energy in space and beam it back right down to Earth.
The technology remains to be within the preliminary testing phase – but the tip goal is the development of a 2km long solar space farm, generating as much energy as a nuclear power plant.
Want green energy but can’t afford solar panels? Buy a little bit of a wind farm
Unless you may afford to put in a solar panel, selecting an energy supplier with an environmental pledge appears to be the one option for greener energy.
That was until Sarah Merrick from Ripple Energy began helping people to co-own a wind turbine.
“Big projects are cheaper than small projects in order that’s why buying a bit of little bit of a wind farm is over two thirds cheaper than buying the equivalent rooftop solar scheme,” she tells Euronews Green.
Renewables power 100% of Greek electricity demand
Renewable energy met all of Greece’s electricity needs for the primary time ever in October, the country’s independent power transmission operator IPTO announced.
For at the very least five hours, renewables accounted for 100 per cent of Greece’s power generation, reaching a record high of three,106 megawatt hours.
Solar, wind and hydro represented 46 per cent of the nation’s power mix within the eight months to August this 12 months, up from 42 per cent in the identical period in 2021, in accordance with Greece-based environmental think-tank The Green Tank.
Renewables have saved 230 million tonnes of CO2 emissions thus far in 2022
Renewables met all the rise in global demand for electricity in the course of 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 12 months.
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 with a purpose 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.
Situated 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 the usage of pesticides and herbicides.
Cigarette butts are became 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 tens of millions 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 will likely be up and running by 2040, the UK government has pledged.
The plant – which could theoretically provide near-limitless clean energy – will likely be inbuilt Nottinghamshire.
Green Galatasaray: Turkish football giant saves almost €400,000 from its solar roof
A legendary Turkish football club has found a strategy to cut its energy costs and generate profits 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
Among the UK’s most iconic chocolates are getting an environmentally-friendly makeover.
After 86 years, Quality Street chocolates will now not be wrapped in vibrant foil and plastic packaging.
As an alternative, the treats – manufactured by Nestlé – will likely be wrapped in recyclable waxed paper.
Dutch flower growers are cutting costs by utilizing cow poo as an alternative of shopping for gas
Between farming animals and growing flowers, the Netherlands has a high level of nitrogen emissions.
While the federal government is on the lookout for large-scale legislative solutions, a part of the reply could possibly 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 are actually 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 other people,” 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 among dozens of brilliant 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?
One in every 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 standard 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 world wide.
Nonetheless 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 longer term 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 loads 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 group of 15 villages from 15 different European countries, all with one of the best 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 into an element of their day by 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 as a consequence of 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 implications 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 without end
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 offer firms climate scores when buying bonds
The European Central Bank (ECB) said Monday that it can 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 scale back them in the longer term, 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 automobile that captures carbon because it drives
Dutch students have invented a zero-emissions automobile that captures carbon because it drives.
Although EVs emit virtually no CO2 compared with their combustion-engine counterparts, battery cell production is very polluting. Consequently, it might probably take EVs tens of 1000’s of kilometres to realize ‘carbon parity’ with comparable fossil-fuelled models.
The scholars’ Zero Emission Mobility (ZEM) automobile 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 could possibly be a game changer within the race to slow global warming
A latest project could suck tens of millions of tonnes of carbon from the air by the tip of the last decade.
Until recently, direct carbon capture – a style of technology that attracts 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 Recent York.
Patagonia and Ecosia: The large firms profiting the Earth due to 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 shareholder and beneficiary of any profits not reinvested back into the business.
One in every 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 12 months’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 a listing 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 accordance with 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 decisions could possibly be good to 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 firms 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 modify to electric vehicles.
Scything: The traditional farming skill making a comeback in Britain
Swapping out noisy, fuel-guzzling mowing machinery for an easy 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 are hard to succeed in with machinery or need a special 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 very best share on record, in accordance with a latest report.
This power would have cost as much as €29 billion had it come from natural-gas burning plants, in accordance with analysts from energy think tank Ember.
Immunity boosting foods could possibly be good for our health and for the planet
Researchers analysed probably the most incessantly advisable ‘immunity boosting foods’ on web serps. 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 advisable ‘immunity boosting’ foods would lead to lower impacts for greenhouse gas emissions and land use, and pose lower health risks compared with less advisable 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 scale back meat consumption and the impacts of the climate crisis. It’ll 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 pretty much 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 world wide, 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 could possibly be kinder on the environment due to 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 high quality and ultra-fine particles – the important 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 day by 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 strategy to protect its produce during this 12 months’s unusually hot summer – and gained a second income in the method. Solar panels shade the orchards, allowing its owner to benefit from his land.
At the identical time, research is being carried out to check which apple varieties thrive under the solar cover, and which varieties of photovoltaic roofs are best fitted 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 power 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 among the biggest 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 could possibly be given a really sweet second life due to a latest discovery from engineers within the US.
They’ve invented a latest style of resin, the fabric that coats turbine blades, that could possibly be reused to make countertops, automobile 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 among the most important challenges that comes with wind power: the best 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 many years ago, the Chandeleur Islands, off the coast of Recent 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 offered 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 the usage of private jets for brief journeys. Transport minister Clément Beaune said the country could now 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 fee 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 into 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 comparable 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 12 months.
Scientists invent low-cost aluminium-sulphur alternative to lithium-ion batteries
Green energy currently relies totally on lithium-ion batteries for storage, but lithium is just not probably the most environmentally friendly, low-cost or secure chemical element we could possibly be using.
Now, scientists from MIT have created a latest battery created from aluminium and sulfur. Aluminium is the second most plentiful metal on the planet, after iron. Additionally it is low-cost. Sulfur is the least costly non-metal element. As a waste product from petrol refinement, it’s abundant. The complete battery will be made for a couple of sixth of the fee of its lithium equivalent.
This tiny floating leaf could decarbonise among 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 accordance with study lead Professor Erwin Reisner.
Ants could replace harmful pesticides and save the bees, scientists say
Pesticides will 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 could possibly 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 normal 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 a complete 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 12 months, persons are on the lookout for latest ways to reclaim power. Community energy could possibly 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 could possibly be used to power single-use disposable electronics.
Once they iron out some kinks in the event, it could possibly 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 imagine the battery could help reduce the environmental impact of single-use electronics.
The world’s fastest electric ship is retreating on Stockholm’s waterways next 12 months
The world’s fastest electric ship will set sail in Stockholm next 12 months, 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 large 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 biggest 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 well 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 accordance with 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’ll make sure that “those Canadians who can afford to purchase luxury goods are contributing a bit of more,” in accordance with a press release 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 possibility 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 could possibly be the ‘most vital’ in US history, says Joe Biden
An unexpected deal reached by Senate Democrats can 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 comparable 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 stop 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 must go through the Senate, one among 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 could possibly be the longer term of sustainable Dutch living
As urban planners grapple with Rotterdam’s space problem, one company, Wikkelboat, has an idea: tiny floating homes created from cardboard.
Protected with a water-resistant coating, these small buildings are insulated, durable, and have low production emissions.
The floating mini-buildings have quite a lot of uses comparable to hotels, event spaces, offices and temporary accommodation. And it’s hoped they could possibly be a part of an answer to develop Dutch cities on the water.
UK energy bills to drop next 12 months due to record-breaking investment in renewables
Rising energy costs are plaguing homes across Europe but within the UK, there could possibly 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. Additionally it is created from 75 per cent recycled plastic.
The primatologist said that she hopes it can provide a positive female role model for young girls.
‘Sand batteries’ could possibly 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 could possibly be used worldwide.
Though a variety of other research groups are testing the bounds 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 could possibly be the important thing to saving the world’s coral reefs, in accordance with 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 are usually not 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 day by day commute can improve coral reef productivity and resilience.
This tiny bacteria could change air travel without end
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 could possibly 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 strategy to help plants survive extreme heat.
With agricultural crops world wide threatened by rising temperatures, this research could help plants resist climate change.
If the findings will be applied to commonly grown crops, it could possibly 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 will change.
Little did he know, growing sunflowers would soon serve to counter the consequences of climate change.
Switzerland has spent 14 years and €2 billion constructing this ‘water battery’
A water battery able to storing electricity similar to 400,000 electric automobile 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 a large 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 a large 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.
To any extent 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
Tens of millions of tonnes of plastic wind up within the ocean every 12 months, killing plants and animals. That’s why firms world wide 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 accordance with RanMarine Technology.
Extinct ‘unbelievable 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 still be alive.
Now scientists have proved that the 2 individuals are in actual fact 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 into carbon neutral by 2050.
Leuven has turn into 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. Due to a powerful 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 12 months. They desired to buy 2,100 hectares of land from the Duke of Buccleuch, one among 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 inbuilt the UK and it’s the dimensions of 96 tennis courts
The UK is heavily depending on imported foods – especially relating 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 will likely be the world’s largest vertical farm in Lincolnshire, England. It is ready to open in autumn this 12 months.
With a lower environmental impact than traditional agriculture, they hope that this progressive solution will produce certain crops three hundred and sixty five days a 12 months 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 among 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 3 times 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 imagine it has survived the impact of climate change thanks to 1 special trait – it has been reproducing asexually.
Finland is aiming to go carbon negative by 2040 – here’s how
Finland will turn into 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 are usually not ‘doomed’ to extinction
The plight of vaquitas has only worsened in recent times, 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 might 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 could possibly 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, as a consequence of 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.
One in every of the divers was 32-year-old marine biologist Gigi Torras.
Torras said last Friday that the rescue was an excellent birthday present for her – the ‘best ever’ in her words. She also felt that she received a bit of gesture of appreciation from the enormous 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 after all 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 may have an impact on people’s health within the medium and long run.
Human urine could possibly be an efficient and fewer polluting crop fertiliser
It’d sound disgusting, but scientists are pretty confident this unique natural solution could possibly be a very good alternative to chemical fertilisers.
Urine is just not 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 leads to the sewers. Prototypes were first tested in Swedish ecovillages within the Nineties but now experiments are being carried out world wide.
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 good people will be.
The winner wrote an open letter, while keeping his anonymity, to clarify why he has made the superb decision.
Cannot recommend reading this piece enough, especially should you’re feeling down concerning the world.
Meet the sloth cubs ‘learning to be wild again’ at this orphanage
Did you realize that sloths are one of the crucial 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 among 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 often nice once 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 appropriate 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 is not – 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 12 months 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 good 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 a lot 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 course to satisfy 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 will be maintained to 2030, in accordance with 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 will be replicated globally, and sustained, the facility sector can be on course for 1.5 degree goal,” thinktank Ember said in its report.
Sweden’s progressive wood skyscraper captures as much carbon as 10,000 forests
With the biggest percentage of forestland in Europe, Sweden is latest ways to include trees into its architecture.
This wood 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 made from 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, Recent 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 nasty status relating 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 vital 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 because the 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 world wide. It’s as a consequence of 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 12 months, 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 strong lamp, renewable energy is immediately generated.
This can be a strange 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 wanting celebrity backers, it’s good to see support from either side of the American political spectrum.
Positive environmental stories from January 2022
Bleached coral reefs can still provide nutrition
Although coral reefs all around 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 must always stop trying to stop 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 loads we will learn from Tallinn it seems. The Estonian capital is ready to be the European Green Capital for 2023, as a consequence of its progressive and modern approach to sustainability.
What’s particularly impressive about Tallinn is that it was once home to a variety of 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 very good example of crisis resulting in innovation. While the rationale for the invention remains to be deeply troubling, the scholars behind this project have created something truly good.
Their design is in a position to provide shelter for at the very least six weeks, and could possibly 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 after all terrible that things reached a tipping point like this, it also goes to indicate that there’s all the time hope – even when the worst possible consequence seems inevitable.
This particular case is fascinating. The tiny tequila splitfin disappeared from the wild in 2003 as a consequence of human activity, but due to 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 must always all be paying loads more attention to. That is why this company’s project, combining AI with drones, is so unbelievable. It is a faster, cheaper strategy to tackle deforestation.
At the identical time, nevertheless, it doesn’t cause the problems often found with tree-planting schemes. The strategy is designed to spice up the health of the encircling 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 the whole lot 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.
In response to the 2021 IPCC report, now we have 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 among the biggest coral reefs ever found. And, unlike a lot 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 simple to see why that is such good news.
Solar-powered bikers are busting illegal wildlife poachers in South Africa
This unbelievable story fuses together two areas of interest for a lot 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 will likely be updating this text usually, with the newest positive environmental stories and breakthroughs from world wide. If you happen to spot an excellent idea we’ve not covered, please tell us on Twitter or Instagram.
