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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

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Community Food Co-ops Are Thriving During the Pandemic

By Lela Nargi – May 15, 2020

• 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.