January Positive News
10 POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS STORIES FROM THIS MONTH.
Article by: Eveline Vouillemin
As we step into 2024, we are delighted to share a fresh batch of uplifting stories that highlight the amazing work taking place around the world to build a more sustainable and hopeful future.
Much like the stories we shared at the end of 2023, this month's collection of climate news underscores the resilience and creativity of individuals and communities.
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Retiree travels on free bus pass to pick litter
Ruth Major, 79, from Redruth, Cornwall, was inspired by a campaign in France to pick up one piece of litter a day and has since collected about 100,000 pieces of rubbish.
She is taking herself on an inspiring journey to pick up litter across England using her free bus pass. "There's millions of people in this country. If we all did a bit, we'd make a massive difference," she said.
You can find out more on the BBC website.
Energy from data centres could heat UK swimming pools
Up to 150 public swimming pools in the UK could be offered an innovative way to cut their energy bills by recycling heat from computer data processing centres after a £200m investment by Octopus Energy into the green tech firm, Deep Green.
You can find out more on the Guardian website.
Record growth in renewable energy capacity in 2023
Global renewable energy capacity grew by the fastest pace recorded in the last 20 years in 2023, which could put the world within reach of meeting a key climate target by the end of the decade.
Solar power accounted for three-quarters of the new renewable energy capacity installed worldwide last year.
You can find out more on the Euronews website.
Humber Forest scheme sees more than 150,000 trees planted
More than 150,000 trees have been planted in East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire over the last 18 months.
The Humber Forest scheme is part of the Northern Forest initiative, which aims to plant 50m trees between Hull and Liverpool by 2043.
Organisers of the government-backed Northern Forest scheme said that the 50m tree woodland would "reduce the risk of flooding for up to 190,000 people, create thousands of new jobs and store thousands of tonnes of carbon".
You can find out more on the BBC website.
Volunteers transform wasteland into nature reserve
Volunteers in Lincolnshire have transformed a rubbish-strewn wasteland into a thriving home for nature.
Over five years, Vernatt's Nature Reserve has had trees planted as well as a carpet of hundreds of bluebells and snowdrops. The work by locals was described as a "labour of love" by project organiser Pete Boekestyn.
You can find out more on the BBC website.
France implements compulsory composting
As of 1 January 2024, organic waste recycling is mandatory in France under new 'compost obligatoire' rules. Previously, only those who generated over five tonnes of organic waste per year were required to separate it.
The waste will be turned into biogas or compost to replace chemical fertilisers. Alternatively, it can be composted at home.
You can find out more on the Euronews website.
The Guardian share 21 food sustainability resolutions for 2024
Whitney Bauck, a Guardian journalist, has shared 21 resolutions to help cut down on food waste in 2024. Resolutions range from storing food correctly to experimenting with sustainable ingredients and creating pollinator habitats.
You can find out more on the Guardian website.
Transforming cigarette butts into asphalt for road building
Bratislava is pioneering a new way to recycle cigarette butts.The Slovakian capital’s municipal waste management company announced a new push to collect and reuse discarded cigarettes in 2024.
The city plans to use the discarded material to create asphalt for roads. Authorities hope this will contribute to cleaner streets and serve as a practical use for the waste.
You can find out more on the Euronews website.
Scientists discover four new species of Octopus
A research expedition exploring a roughly 260km2 area off the coast of Costa Rica has led to the discovery of at least four new octopus species.
During two expeditions in 2023 onboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Falkor research vessel, two octopus nurseries were discovered around hydrothermal springs. Within these nurseries, the expedition team discovered the Dorado Octopus.
Three more species were then discovered nearby in the deep sea.
You can find out more on the Euronews website.
The UK farmers holding off floods the natural way
UK farmers are responding to increased flood risks in the UK by using nature-based solutions. Planting trees, creating floodplains and rewilding rivers are among the new techniques farmers are using to adapt to climate change.
You can find out more on the Guardian website.
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