Hopescrolling: The good news timeline
Matt Wright
The good news timeline
September
22nd September
Six young individuals, aged 11 to 24, are taking the worldās largest climate legal action at the European Court of Human Rights. They seek to compel 32 nations to intensify emissions reductions due to their experiences in the 2017 Leiria wildfires, which claimed 66 lives and devastated 20,000 hectares of forest.
22nd September
15 Earthshot finalists were announced at New York Climate Week, including AcciĆ³n Andina – co-founded by our Ecologi partner Global Forest Generation, as well as ECOAN. Find out more about the Ecologi supported reforestation project in South AmericaĀ here.
1st SeptemberĀ
Denmark has pledged to donate around $22 million to Brazil’s Amazon Fund, in order to fight deforestation. The announcement was made this month by the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Dan Jorgensen, along with his Brazilian counterpart, the Environment Minister Marina Silva.
(Reuters)
1st SeptemberĀ
The return of the takahÄ, a flightless bird standing around 50cm, to the mountains of the South Island has marked a big conservation victory in New Zealand. Eighteen of the birds were released in the Lake Whakatipu WaimÄori valley, onto alpine slopes that they hadnāt roamed for the last 100 years.
August
29th August
A new study led by Dr. Luis Mata from the University of Melbourne has revealed the amazing potential of boosting plant diversity in urban landscapes. The study finds that increasing plant variety can dramatically restore urban ecosystems, increase insect populations and boost biodiversity.Ā
25th August
A new study suggests the benefits from clean air might be even greater than previously thought. Researchers have looked at the closure of a coal processing plant near Pittsburgh in the US in 2016, that produced coal-coke for steelmaking for about 100 years. The closure of the plant led to an immediate 42% decrease in emergency room visits for heart problems and further declines until the study was concluded.
(The Guardian)Ā
22nd August
The United Kingdom recorded a major spike in solar panel and heat pump installations in the first half of 2023. There was a 62% increase in solar panel installations over the previous year, with almost 17,000 installations on average each month.Ā
22nd August
Ecuadorians have voted to cease the development of new oil wells in the YasunĆ national park. The historic referendum will help protect nature in this part of Amazon, which is one of the most biodiverse areas on Earth. With 90% of the vote counted, there was reportedly more than 58% in favour and 41% against.
15th August
Bangladesh conservation efforts see record number of olive ridley turtles this nesting season. Extensive conservation action and the awareness programmes in the local communities are the key reasons behind this success.
(Mongabay)
10th August
600,000mĀ² of Brazilian landfill restored to mangroves. This landfill was deactivated 11 years ago and through an environmental project the area has been replaced by greenery.Ā
8th August
A new poll commissioned by the Energy and Climate Change Intelligence Unit (ECIU) has found that 70% of the public support the current target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. This is compared to just 18% who oppose the goal.
1st August
India and Bhutan have reported significant increases in their wild tiger populations. India’s tiger population has had an annual increase of 6%, while Bhutan recorded 131 tigers – up 27% from its last count in 2015.
(BBC News)
July
31st July
The discount German supermarket chain, Penny, has raised the prices of nine products, mainly dairy and meat, to reflect their true cost on health and the environment. The week-long experiment will run across all 2,150 branches of the Penny chain.
24th July
Three Gorges Energy has successfully connected the worldās first 16-megawatt offshore wind turbine to the power grid. The MySE 16-260 wind turbine has a 260-metre diameter rotor, and can power about 36,000 Chinese homes with renewable energy.
21st July
A new study by researchers at Oxford University has found that if all regular meat-eaters in the UK cut just some of it out of their diet, it would have the same impact on the climate as taking 8 million cars off the road.
(BBC News)
20th July
Eight new seahorse hotels, made from biodegradable metal, have been installed in Sydneyās harbour, providing much-needed homes for over 350 endangered Whiteās Seahorses.
(Reuters)
20th July
Indigenous communities in the Lower Omo River Valley, Ethiopia, have taken on the ownership and management of the Tama Wildlife Reserve by setting up the Tama Community Conservation Area (TCCA). The TCCA spans 197,000 hectares, making it Ethiopiaās largest community conservation area.
(Mongabay)
19h July
A new program in Hawaii is set to restore 120 miles of coral reef, to the west of the Big Island, which have been declining over the last 50 years. The program will include the building of a new research and coral propagation facility in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, benefitting the local community.Ā
(Mongabay)
12th July
The European Parliament has voted to pass a new law to restore degraded natural ecosystems. This fiercely contested new legislation was narrowly passed with 336 votes in favour, 300 against, and 13 abstentions. The text will now be negotiated, with the aim to finalise before the 2024 EU Parliament elections.
(Reuters)
8th July
A huge phosphate rock deposit has been found in Norway, which has enough minerals to satisfy demand for batteries and solar panels for the next 100 years, according to Norge Mining, the company that discovered the deposit. Phosphate rock contains high levels of phosphorus, a key component of green technologies.
7th July
Spain is on course to generate over half of its power from renewable sources this year according to Rystad Energy forecasts. If it does so it will be the first of the top five European countries by power demand to accomplish the feat.Ā
4th July
A scientific expedition in June has discovered two new deep-sea octopus nurseries, which are located in hydrothermal vent sites off the west coast of Costa Rica. They are two of only three known deep-sea octopus nurseries in the world.
June
28th June
The Australian government is planning to put in place compulsory climate-related financial disclosure requirements for businesses and financial firms from 2024, according to a consultation paper released by the Australian Treasury.Ā
(Fintech)
20th June
Icelandās government has suspended this yearās whale hunt until August 31. This is a result of animal welfare concerns following a monitoring report by the countryās Food and Veterinary Authority, which found that the killing of the animals was in breach of the Animal Welfare Act.
20th June
United Nations members have agreed the first-ever treaty to protect ocean life in the high seas. The high seas include all water outside national boundaries and cover nearly half of the Earthās surface. This historic treaty has been under discussion for more than 20 years.
14th June
LinkedInās Global Green Skills Report 2023 has revealed that jobs linked to sustainability make up 33% of its job postings in the UK. But the growth in demand for green skills is outpacing supply, with only one in eight workers around the world having one or more green skills.
12th June
Devon’s Wildlife Trust is planting a temperate rainforest right here in the UK. It will take up to 100 years to grow, but will create a perfect home for rare birds, plants, fungi and all sorts of different wildlife.
(BBC News)
12th June
Co-op and the RSPB have teamed up on an ambitious three-year partnership to restore, protect and manage UK peatland. The project will initially focus on areas of RSPB-owned peatland ināÆScotland and Wales, equivalent to around 400 football pitches.āÆāÆāÆ
3rd June
Breweries in the US are using special techniques, originally developed by NASA, to capture the naturally produced carbon from the fermentation process and prevent it from entering the atmosphere.Ā
1st June
New Zealand has launched its most ambitious emissions reduction project to date, with a historic switch from coal to renewable energy at the countryās largest steel factory in Glenbrook. Itās expected to remove emissions equivalent to 300,000 cars.
May
31st May
A Ukrainian startup is making āpolystyreneā out of mushrooms. Despite fleeing Ukraine when war started, S.Lab is now winning awards and securing customers for its innovative biodegradable alternative.
25th May
According to a recent report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), investment in clean energy technologies is surpassing expenditure on fossil fuels. This trend stems from growing affordability and security concerns triggered by the global energy crisis. An expected USD 1.7 trillion will be invested globally in clean tech this year.
(IEA)
24th May
The Science Based Targets Network has unveiled the first science-based targets for nature, allowing companies to kick-start ambitious and measurable efforts for both climate and nature at once. This stems from a remarkable collaborative effort within the Network since the publication of the Initial Guidance for Business in 2020.
21st May
Spain is a leading global player in the movement toward renewable energy, and it just reached a new milestone. For a nine-hour working day last month, the country could power itself entirely through renewable energy.
16th May
According to a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), utilising existing technologies while implementing substantial policy changes and market adjustments might reduce plastic pollution by 80 percent by the year 2040.
(UN)
11th May
MEPs have supported a proposed law aimed at enhancing the labelling and longevity of products while curbing deceptive claims. This new legislation intends to empower consumers by providing guidance towards greener options, while incentivising companies to make goods that are more durable.
11th May
The sighting of dolphins in the Bronx River indicates a positive shift in the overall health of the river’s ecosystem. This incredible progress is a result of the dedicated efforts of diverse groups working together to enhance water quality, restore habitats, and promote fisheries.
11th May
MEPs have supported a proposed law aimed at enhancing the labelling and longevity of products while curbing deceptive claims. This new legislation intends to empower consumers by providing guidance towards greener options, while incentivizing companies to make goods that are more durable.
4th May
The Wildlife Trusts and Clear Channel have joined forces to expand vibrant green-roofed bus stops across the UK. This innovative partnership, spanning five years, will make a real difference in conserving wildlife in urban areas.Ā
April
25th April
According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest electric vehicle outlook, the demand for electric cars is reaching new heights. In 2023, electric vehicles are expected to make up 18% of global car sales, a big increase from the 4% observed in 2020.
25th April
Fossil fuel giants have faced a significant setback as the US Supreme Court has made a pivotal decision by refusing to hear their appeals in climate-related cases. With the worsening climate crisis, local governments have been actively pursuing legal actions against energy giants.
19th April
The European Parliament has just passed a groundbreaking law aimed at halting the import, sale, and export of products that contribute to deforestation within the EU. This is the first time that agricultural and forestry businesses will have to show that goods such as wood, rubber, leather, and palm oil are sourced without causing any harm to forests.
18th April
An incredible discovery has been made off the coast of Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands ā a vibrant coral reef teeming with marine life. During a scientific expedition, researchers traced this remarkable 1.2-mile-long reef to the summit of an underwater mountain formed through volcanic activity. Scientists had previously believed that only a single reef existed in this volcanic archipelago.
17th April
The world’s very first rewilding centre has officially opened its doors, providing access to the UK’s most extensive nature recovery site. Nestled in Glenmoriston, near the renowned Loch Ness, the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre stands proudly on what used to be a deer-stalking estate.
13th April
The Clean Creatives campaign group has announced a significant milestone. More than 500 organisations and individuals from the advertising and PR industry have joined their cause by pledging not to collaborate with fossil fuel companies in various ways, including communications and recruitment.
