I was looking for some happy news this morning that related to the environmental world. I looked at a couple of different websites and couldn't find many cheerful news stories to read. The lack of positive news in the spotlight is upsetting. We see the issues in the environmental world, but not the accomplishments. Because of this, I thought I would take some time to highlight a few of the positive news stories that I know about! If you would like to read more about any of the stories, the links are right at the beginning of each story.
1. Bye-Bye Plastic: Europe's Plastics Strategy
In 2021, Europe will tell single-use plastic good-bye! Plastic plates, cutlery, straws, and other plastics will be gone from Europe. As part of Europe's Plastics Strategy, the plastic ban is fighting to decrease the amount of marine pollution and protect our environment. Rock on, Europe!
2. Climate Change Education: Christine Palm's Bill
Christine Palm, a Connecticut State Representative, recently proposed a bill that would make climate change education mandatory in schools. While it is already an elective, Palm is fighting to go further and is hoping her proposed bill becomes law. If it does, it will mandate climate change education across the state of Connecticut, beginning in elementary schools!
3. Conservation Progress: Helping the North Luangwa Ecosystem
The North Luangwa Conservation Programme, located in the Republic of Zambia, is a partnership between the Frankfurt Zoological Society and the Zambia Department of National Parks and Wildlife. Their goal is to conserve 22,000 km² of the North Luangwa ecosystem with help from the community! In 2018, they saw a 50% decrease in poached elephant carcasses found in the area surrounding the National Park. Plus, not a single elephant was poached in the National Park! We love seeing positive wildlife statistics!
4. No Permit, No Plantations: Permanent Moratorium
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has made the moratorium (that covers around 66 million hectares) permanent! This will prevent new permits for palm plantations or logging from going through.
5. Pristine Oceans Coming Soon: Record-Breaking Clean-Up
Good news from my home state: 633 divers came together in Deerfield Beach, Fla. to clean our oceans. They ended up breaking the record for the largest underwater cleanup in the world! They collected at least 1,500 pounds of trash and Project AWARE, an ocean conservation group, estimates it could actually be around 3,200 pounds!
I hope these news stories brought some joy into your day! There are people who are working towards a better planet and are making significant progress. If you ever think that you can't do something meaningful, remember that all of these news stories started with one person wanting to make a difference and it could be you one day!
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