Degrowth is fearmongering and pessimistic—here are victories around the world from just the past two months—make them answer them all

[Euronews Green, 6-19-2023, "Positive environmental stories: A 2023 roundup," ] WL

We're going to be regularly updating this page with good news about our planet in an effort to combat climate anxiety. Eco-anxiety, climate doom, environmental existential dread - as green journalists, we see these terms used a lot - and often feel them ourselves. While there's a lot to be worried about when it comes to the climate and nature crises, we must not lose hope - because hopelessness breeds apathy. The media has an important role to play in combatting climate doom. It's our job to be truthful and accurate in our reporting, not trying to downplay or greenwash the situation. But it's also our job to show that there is hope. In 2022, as part of our ongoing effort to tackle eco-anxiety (both that of our readers and our own), we kept track of all the positive environmental news throughout the year - racking up over 100 stories of eco-innovation, green breakthroughs and climate wins. In 2023, we're confident the good news will keep on coming, as renewable power soars, vulnerable ecosystems gain rights, and climate protocols start to pay dividends. This article will be regularly updated with the latest good news. It may be something small and local, something silly that made us smile, or something enormous and potentially world-changing. If you come across a great, positive story that we haven't covered here - please reach out to us on Instagram or Twitter to share your ideas. Positive environmental stories from June 2023 Climate 'victory': Swiss citizens vote in favour of new law to reach net zero emissions by 2050 The Swiss people have voted yes to a new climate law that will see the country cut net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. A majority of 59 per cent of voters approved the government’s Climate Protection Targets, Innovation and Strengthening Energy Security Act on 18 June. Almost three-quarters of people (74 per cent) backed it in the canton of Geneva, following a record-breakingly warm spring for the wealthy European nation. Meet the cattle breeders-turned-conservationists protecting Colombia's Amazon wildlife In the rural area of San José de Guaviare, Colombia, is 40 hectares of reborn jungle. Up until a decade ago, the forest looked completely different - it was a pasture full of cattle. The co-founder of the La Nupana nature reserve, Dora Sánchez, moved from the centre of the country to the jungle region in 1997. Like most of the settlers, her family - the Zapatas - started livestock farming. In 2012, she started planting native trees on her 56 hectares of pasture as an “experiment to set up agroforestry systems”. London's solar street: How two artists crowdfunded renewable energy for their neighbours Sick of eye-watering energy bills and keen to combat climate change, two London artists have made it their mission to bring solar power to their street. The couple have raised money for the project in eye-catching ways, including spending three cold winter weeks sleeping on the roof of their house. The stunt helped them crowdfund £113,000 (€132,000), which they are now using to install solar panels on dozens of houses in north London. A green oasis: How Nairobi’s world-only national park benefits lions, giraffes and people Did you know Nairobi is the only capital city in the world that has a national park in it? The park is a vast reserve that covers 117 square kilometres and is a haven for wildlife, including lions, rhinos, giraffes, buffalos and various species of antelope. But experts say Nairobi National Park is faced by a myriad of threats, including pollution, human-wildlife conflict, infrastructure development and poaching. A foliage-filled tram and free plants: How Antwerp is encouraging residents to be urban gardeners If you hopped on the tram in the Belgian city of Antwerp last week and you might have found yourself in a surprising verdant paradise. The car running on line 1 had been transformed into a lush mobile garden for a day, with plants squeezed into every available space. Between the seats, in the panels separating the windows and even on the roof, leafy decorations sprouted. It was a joy to ride, but it was also part of a scheme to make citizens more green and encourage residents to take up urban gardening. Glastonbury’s ‘biggest fan’: UK festival gets an eye-catching 28 metre wind turbine It’s not as if Glastonbury Festival goers need another reason to feel delighted by this year's line-up. But the likes of Lizzo, Lana Del Rey and Sir Elton John are being joined by one very prominent guest at Worthy Farm: a pink and purple 28-metre wind turbine. Octopus Energy erected the tall turbine on 13 June, in a move they say will help make Glastonbury 2023 the greenest yet. Toyota announces new electric car battery which could cut charging time to under 10 minutes Toyota has announced its plans to make an all solid-state battery as part of its ambitious plans for battery electric vehicles. The announcement comes amid mounting criticism that Japan’s top automaker needs to do more to fight climate change. Toyota Motor Corp. said it's aiming for a commercial solid-state battery as soon as 2027. Magicians, engineers or agents of chaos? On the rewilding estate giving refuge to beavers A fifth generation son of the Argaty estate near Stirling, Bowser (39) fought hard for the farm to become the first privately owned place to relocate beavers in Scotland. In total, 14 beavers have been released on the estate since the Scottish government allowed the animals to be translocated from conflict areas on the River Tay. “I thought it might have been one big explosion of biodiversity,” says Bowser of the ecological benefits of beavers. “But it’s more like a series of small interventions; hundreds of little explosions going off with this accumulative effect.” Meet the ex-poachers restoring the Indonesian coral reefs they destroyed Twenty years ago, the coral reefs in the waters of Spermonde Islands in Indonesia were nothing more than debris. Poachers bombed and poisoned corals to catch fish - methods ruled illegal by the government and punishable by up to six years in prison. Now, the same poachers have become conservationists, working together to rehabilitate the corals they destroyed. Why a ‘virgin’ crocodile pregnancy has ‘tantalising’ implications for dinosaur researchers In the first known case of a ‘virgin birth’ among the species, a crocodile has been found to have made herself pregnant. The 18-year-old American crocodile was kept away from other crocodiles in a zoo in Costa Rica. But that didn’t stop her producing a fully formed foetus inside one of her eggs in 2018. Five years later, researchers have determined that the foetus was 99.9 per cent genetically identical to the mother, confirming it had no father. Wind and solar overtake fossil fuels in the EU as energy transition hits ‘hyperdrive’ Wind and solar produced more energy in the EU during May than all fossil fuels combined, according to energy think tank Ember. This is the first full month on record where these renewables produced more power - with almost a third of the bloc’s electricity coming from wind and solar. Fossil fuels generated a record low of 27 per cent. “Europe’s electricity transition has hit hyperdrive,” says Ember’s Europe lead Sarah Brown. “Clean power keeps smashing record after record." A real material for the future’: Could homes made of fungi slash emissions from construction? Almost 40 per cent of annual global CO2 emissions are attributed to the built environment, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Of these, 11 per cent are a result of manufacturing building materials such as steel, cement and glass. Architects and scientists are working on ways to reduce the climate impact of these important materials. But low-carbon alternatives are needed to build a greener future. One material that’s showing real promise in the world of construction is fungus. The eagles have landed: widowed white-tailed eagle finds new partner in Ireland A male white-tailed eagle who had been living alone for four years after his partner died from avian flu has met a new partner - and the pair now have two new chicks. The male eagle was released in 2008 by Ireland's National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of a programme to reintroduce the white-tailed eagle to the Emerald Isle. He had previously partnered with another eagle and they produced chicks - the first hatching and fledgling in the country for 110 years. The world’s most sustainable beer - and how to make it at home Bottles, cans and kegs filled with liquid all carry significant weight. According to the Impact CO2 carbon footprint calculator, packaging and transport account for 70 per cent of the environmental impact of a litre (around two pints) of beer. So if we can reduce the packaging size and therefore transport demands, we can massively reduce the impact of the beer industry. And this is exactly what the Neuzelle brewery in Germany is trying to do. Positive environmental stories from May 2023 Iceland is our Green European country of the month - here’s why Iceland generates more than 86 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources according to Eurostat and around 66 per cent of this comes from its geothermal resources. Not only does this hot water power homes, but it also supplies some of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions including the famous Blue Lagoon. ‘Clean energy is moving fast’: Solar set to overtake oil in investments for the first time ever Solar energy investments are expected to overtake oil for the first time ever this year, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). A new report from the agency says spending on clean energy technology is now significantly outpacing spending on fossil fuels. This is due to affordability and security concerns triggered by the global energy crisis. Turtle power: Panama gives legal rights to sea turtles, protecting against pollution and poaching A new law guarantees sea turtles in Panama the right to live and have free passage in a healthy environment. It “will allow any Panamanian citizen to be the voice of sea turtles and defend them legally,” says Callie Veelenturf, who founded a group that works to protect leatherback turtles and pushed for the legislation. “We will be able to hold governments, corporations and public citizens legally accountable for violations of the rights of sea turtles.” Utrecht’s new vertical forest will be home to 10,000 plants and trees. How will residents benefit? It starts with a currant bush and a pear tree: the first of 300 trees and 10,000 plants that will turn this Dutch tower block into a living forest. Utrecht is the latest city to get the green treatment from celebrated architect Stefano Boeri. The 66-year old Italian architect stretched the world’s imagination with his first vertical forest in Milan a decade ago. Giving people €5 a day could bring the ‘good life’ to communities and ecosystems in need, study says Paying people living in fragile forests €5 a day could be the best way to halt biodiversity loss, a new study suggests. Similar to the concept of a universal basic income, a conservation basic income (CBI) is an unconditional cash payment given to people living in protected areas or alongside endangered species. Just like eating frogs’ legs? Inside the European companies that want to convince us to eat insects Will insects be a staple food in the future? Several companies in Europe are betting on it. From lower emissions to reduced land use and a way to contribute to the circular economy, they claim a range of benefits. Although convincing Europeans to eat insects isn’t easy, almost 60 per cent of people believe that they could become an alternative and sustainable source of protein in the future, according to a study from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya published earlier this year. Refill stores and bottle deposit schemes: Inside the UN goal to cut plastic pollution by 80% by 2040 Plastic pollution could be slashed by 80 per cent by 2040, according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This ambitious target relies on major policy changes and the deployment of existing technologies in the way we produce, use and dispose of plastics. Here's what would need to change in our daily lives to reach it. Spain, Sweden and Belgium: The European countries setting new wind and solar records Solar and wind produced more than half of Portugal’s electricity for the first time last month, according to new data from clean energy think tank Ember. April saw the renewables reach 51 per cent of electricity production - beating the previous monthly record of 49 per cent in December 2021. Strong solar deployment, electricity imports from Spain and lower demand kept energy generated by fossil fuels to just 24 per cent - despite a drought-driven dip in hydropower. Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by 68% in April Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by 68 per cent last month compared to April 2022. This is the first significant drop since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office at the start of this year. Lula, as the left-leaning President is known, campaigned on transforming Brazil into a ‘green superpower’. One of his promises was to combat illegal deforestation, which rose to a 15-year high under former right wing President Jair Bolsonaro. ‘Look at that beast’: This well-fed snapping turtle is a conservation success story Footage of a plump snapping turtle relaxing along a Chicago waterway has gone viral after the man who filmed the well-fed reptile marveled at its size and nicknamed it “Chonkosaurus." Conservationists have been carrying out native plant restoration along the waterway to combat invasive European species that have cropped up. "The plants and the animals are interrelated - if one is doing well, the other's doing well, it's ecology," says Al Scorch, one of the botanists who spotted the giant turtle. EU emissions fell by 4% at the end of last year - and economies grew, data reveals Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by 4 per cent in the last three months of 2022, according to Eurostat data released on 15 May. Out of the 27 member states, emissions fell in 23 EU countries. It also found that while emissions had fallen, GDP hadn’t and had actually increased by 1.5 per cent during those three months. It shows that countries are reducing their greenhouse gas contribution while growing their economies. Seals are making a comeback in Belgium: This team of volunteers helping them coexist with humans Seals are becoming an increasingly common sight on Belgium’s beaches. At the end of last century, there were almost none of these marine mammals left on the country’s coast. But their numbers have been on the rise over the last 20 years, according to the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. Seals aren’t easy to count, but they estimate there are now between 100 and 200 individuals from two species: grey seals and harbour seals. ‘New hope’: Tiny Galápagos island birds make promising comeback Darwin's flycatchers are on the edge of extinction. But conservation experts now think the tiny bird could be making a comeback. Known for their striking vermillion plumage, the charismatic birds can be found only in the Galápagos Islands. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has labelled them ‘vulnerable.’ But on the island of Santa Cruz, 12 new chicks have been born this year, officials have revealed. From water saving to clean energy: Here’s why floating solar farms are booming in the US Producing electricity uses up huge amounts of land and often generates vast quantities of climate-heating emissions. But what if it didn’t need to? Floating solar panels are a simple concept but they could provide the answer to these problems - and prevent water loss from evaporation at the same time. Ecuador strikes world's biggest 'debt for nature' deal to protect the Galápagos Islands Ecuador has converted $1.6 billion (€1.5 billion) of debt into a loan which will free up millions for conservation in the Galápagos Islands. The deal, announced on Tuesday 9 May, is the largest of its kind ever made. It is known as a ‘debt for nature’ swap. “The world’s biggest ocean-friendly debt swap is coming together in Ecuador to protect its unique natural resources,” says Pablo Arosemena Marriott, Minister of Economy and Finance. This millionaire is selling his private jet after learning how polluting it is It’s never too late to change - just ask Stephen Prince. The American multimillionaire is selling his private jet after learning how polluting it is. The Georgia businessman started flying in small jets six years ago, and compared the experience to a cocaine habit. The gift-card magnate once owned three jets. Now, he’s selling his last one. ‘A daring heart’: Meet the bamboo scaffolders bringing down Hong Kong’s carbon footprint Mo Jia Yu wraps his legs around a pole to balance high above the ground and secure a joint, a skill he must master to become a bamboo scaffolder in Hong Kong. The metropolis is one of the world's last remaining cities to use bamboo scaffolding in modern construction and building repair. Scaffolders perched on bamboo frames several storeys high are a common sight, and are nicknamed "spiders" by Hong Kongers for their agility over the web-like latticework. Austria has helped pay for more than half a million repairs in bid to tackle e-waste Austrians have been taking advantage of a scheme to repair broken electrical devices. Designed to tackle electronic waste, the government programme covers half the cost of repairs. It applies to defective devices such as smartphones, laptops, coffee makers and dishwashers. Since being introduced one year ago, it has seen 560,000 vouchers worth up to €200 redeemed, according to the Environment Ministry. Europe’s first wild river park is a nature lover’s paradise: Here’s how to experience it on a budget Vjosa River National Park is something of a miracle. After years of campaigning by clothing brand Patagonia, the IUCN and none other than actor Leonardo Dicaprio, this 6,500 square-kilometre basin of tributaries and wild waterways was given the protection it deserves, making it Europe’s first wild river park. It may be the first park, but it is Europe’s last wild river, home to 1,110 species of animals and plants, of which two plant species and 13 animals are in danger of disappearing globally. Hence why official protection is so important. This Nigerian environmentalist is channelling Spider-Man to wage war on litter In Nigeria, environmental waste poses a major challenge, especially in urban regions. But on the streets of Osogbo in Osun State, Jonathan Olanlokun’s superpower is his determination to make a difference in his community. Dressed as Spider-Man, he picks up rubbish to improve his local environment. He says the costume gets him noticed and draws attention to the problem of litter on the streets.