Good News, Planet Earth! - May 2020
So much is changing. Life has always been constant change, but now it feels like we’re entering into a new era. We have new opportunities to improve. Let’s not strive to return “back to normal.” Let’s move forward. Let’s replace past mistakes with new innovations, transform our living spaces to encourage healthy living, create new jobs that feel rewarding and nourish the Earth, encourage community and support the lives around us. Let’s get excited for what’s yet to come, and enjoy the good news that can be seen today.
5 Sustainable Alternatives to Plastics
By Stuart Braun – May 6, 2020
Photo : G. Bonsen
New compostable bioplastics are being created from a wide variety of renewable sources to liberate us from fossil fuels and plastic waste
Biolive, a Turkish startup, creates plastic from olive pits that can decompose in a year, and by utilizing olive oil waste, this plastic reduces production costs by up to 90% compared to other bioplastics
Sunflower seeds, another byproduct of oil production, are also being used to create bioplastics, and there’s practically an endless supply of these seeds all over the world
A mixture of fish waste and algae is being used to create stronger packaging than a typical plastic bag
Amsterdam-based Avantium created a revolutionary plants-to-plastic technology that transforms plant-based sugars into new biodegradable packaging material
Biodegradable, strong, water-resistant fungal mycelia-based materials don’t create any toxic byproducts, and have a negative carbon footprint while outperforming leather or synthetic plastic
This Good News shows how we’re developing the means to affordably and realistically replace all fossil-fuel-based plastic with a wide variety of compostable, renewable, and sustainable alternatives.
Hundreds of Cities Worldwide Make Streets into Cycling and Pedestrian Walkways—With Plans to Stay That Way
By Michael Goonan – May 16, 2020
Photo: Coen van de Broek
The coronavirus pandemic has caused greenhouse gas emissions to fall by a record-breaking 8%
Since the World Health Organization labeled walking and cycling as the safest way to travel during Covid, cities worldwide have been building new paths and increasing their car-free initiatives
Many of these eco-friendly changes to make cities more walkable and cyclable will be permanent
This Good News demonstrates how the pandemic has inspired lasting changes all over the world, transforming cities to be more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, and gives hope that this time is an opportunity to make lasting changes to the way we navigate and interact with our environment.
Pakistan Hires Thousands of Newly-Unemployed Laborers for Ambitious 10 Billion Tree-Planting Initiative
By McKinley Corbley – April 30, 2020
Photo : Junaid Ali, CC
After the coronavirus left thousands in Pakistan unemployed, the Pakistani government created over 63,000 jobs with a goal of planting 20 million tree saplings by the end of 2020
This is a relaunching of the nation’s 10 Billion Tree Tsunami campaign, in which 30 million trees had already been planted since 2018
These laborers are now being paid living wages as “Jungle Workers” responsible for planting saplings and protecting trees from illegal logging and fires
Most of these new trees are being planted in low-income rural areas to help provide work for locals in these areas, and many more continue to be hired for these jobs
The government sees the pandemic as an opportunity to better focus their efforts on reducing climate change
This Good News is a great example of how jobs can and should be created to help the health of both the unemployed and the environment during this time of change.
With No Tourists, Australian Scuba Tours Are Planting Coral Instead
By Fino Menezes – May 1, 2020
Photo : Passions III at Reef, Karryon.com.au
During the shutdowns, Australian tour operators are using their boats and staff to work alongside researchers restoring coral in the Great Barrier Reef
Over 1,000 pieces of coral have been rescued and replanted
There are many ways listed that anyone can help protect coral reefs, which are crucial to the health and biodiversity of our oceans, by being environmentally responsible
This Good News reminds us of the importance of healthy coral reefs and is another great example of how the pandemic provides opportunity to help improve the health of our world.
(VIDEO)
Community Food Co-ops Are Thriving During the Pandemic
By Lela Nargi – May 15, 2020
Photo : Civil Eats
While many supermarkets found themselves with empty shelves as the pandemic began, co-ops are thriving and seeing more sales than ever before, thanks to their long-term focus in building resilient foodsheds
Co-ops are devoted to the local food movement, building relationships with small farmers and helping to build their community
The average co-op sources from 300 vendors, instead of around 30 in ordinary grocery stores, and this diversity in their supply makes them much more resilient and reliable during uncertain times
A co-op’s focus on love, kindness, care, and community are resonating with many more nowadays
This Good News shows how we’re moving towards successful businesses and organizations being run by all of its members, designed to serve their communities, and focused on building close relationships with suppliers to reliably provide the best for their supporters.
