November Positive News
10 positive environmental news stories from this month.
Article by: Eveline White and Bethany Pihama
As the days grow shorter and the dark nights draw in, it becomes ever more important to take care of yourself and your mental wellbeing. With climate-anxiety and other stresses, it can often seem like everything is going wrong in the world. But this isn’t the case.
We are excited to launch our new positive-news web series, bringing you a monthly summary of positive news for the planet. Whilst mainstream news headlines are often filled with doom and gloom, at Viridis we instead choose to shine a light on stories of hope.
From smart plastic waste solutions to species returning from extinction, there are plenty of positive stories this month to brighten the darkest of evenings. So, grab a hot drink and catch up on this month’s positive news for the planet.
Follow us on Instagram to see more positive news, brought to you weekly.
New ‘Roots and Shoots’ programme for Indigenous youth
Primatologist, Dr. Jane Goodall, and tech entrepreneur, Dax Dasilva, have partnered to bring her ‘Roots and Shoots’ scheme to Indigenous youth in the Amazon.
One of the key goals of the ‘Roots and Shoots’ scheme is to help equip local youth to protect their ancestral lands, as well as preserve Indigenous knowledge.
You can find out more about Roots and Shoots on the Roots and Shoots Global website.
Lab recycling plastic waste opens
In the UK, the first laboratory facility which can recycle plastic waste from research laboratories has opened.
Plastic waste from laboratories has been a big issue, with tubes, pipettes and dishes thrown away daily. Now, this new laboratory provides a breakthrough in reducing the tonnes of plastic wasted annually.
You can find out more on the LabCycle website.
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon falls by 22% in 2023
Recent satellite data released by Brazil’s National Space Institute has shown deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has fallen by 22% in 2023. Although progress is still needed, this is a positive sign that measures to curb deforestation are taking effect.
You can find out more on Mongabay’s website.
New forest to be planted in Tees Valley, UK
A new community forest will be planted in Tees Valley, UK, by 2025, as part of a new community forest scheme. This will be one of two new UK forests, which together will make up 175 hectares. The other forest will be planted in Derbyshire.
You can find out more on the UK Government website.
Nature Photographer of the Year 2023 winners announced
Nature Talks has announced the winners of the Nature Photographers of the Year competition. Categories this year included Plants, Animal Portraits, Youth, Human and Nature, and Nature Art.
The overall winning image this year was taken by Jacquie Matechuk.
You can find out more on the Nature Photographer of the Year website.
UK to build satellite to monitor climate change
The UK Space Agency is building a new satellite to help monitor climate patterns, record valuable data and help to monitor and detect the risk of natural disasters. By developing the satellite, the UK aims to join Portugal and Spain as part of the Atlantic Constellation Project.
You can find out more on the UK Government website.
New NOAA technology to support coral reef data
NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)’s National Coral Reef Monitoring Program has unveiled a new tool to help access data on coral reefs and their status.
The user-friendly tool is openly available and free - allowing students, stakeholders and others to access it.
You can find out more on the NOAA website.
Scientists find long-beaked echidna not extinct
A research team from the University of Oxford have recorded clips of the long-beaked echidna, an egg-laying mammal previously thought to be extinct. The species was discovered in the Cyclops Mountains in a remote rainforest habitat.
You can find out more on the University of Oxford’s website.
Governments meet to discuss global plastic treaty
In Kenya, countries are meeting to discuss a global treaty which would be the first to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. The treaty would aim to tackle the 400 million tonnes of plastic waste which is produced each year.
You can find out more on the UN website.
Earthshot Prize winners announced
Prince William announced the winners of the Earthshot Prize in Singapore this month, with high profile celebrities lending their support.
The £1m Earthshot award is for ‘green innovators’ who are working on solutions to protect the planet.
You can find out more on the Earthshot Prize website.
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