Autumn News 2026

Your Good News Stories for Autumn 2026

Some news stories to help you & the planet feel better!

1) Plastic from seaweed resin

Companies are looking at ways to use seaweed as an alternative to plastic & to slow down deforestation. A Welsh start up company ‘Plant Sea’ uses seaweed infused paper to reduce the amount of virgin wood pulp. 

The sea weed is also incorporated into plastic free film; this breaks down without micro plastics which could be useful for dishwasher or laundry capsules. 

https://plantsea.co.uk/

Seaweed acts as an excellent carbon capture which could be farmed to help with alternative packaging as well as capture the carbon at the same time!

Video below describes the durability of seaweed following a company in America

For some other companies utilising sea weed head on over to https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/04/seaweed-an-eco-alternative-to-single-use-plastics-packaging-004526/#

2) Reducing ships carbon emissions with lime pebbles

A London based company ‘Seabound’ has developed an interesting carbon capture system. They convert exhaust fumes from ships into limestone by flowing these fumes through quicklime pebbles. The limestone with CO2 captured can then be stored or sold on as required!

More info can be found at:

https://www.positive.news/science/technology/shipping-has-a-big-carbon-footprint-can-this-lo-fi-solution-shrink-it/

3) Stop floating plastic in the sea by 2040

The team at ‘Ocean Clean Up’ plan to clean up 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040 using barriers that scoop up plastics as it goes. The Great Garbage Patch (reported in a previous post) is being cleaned up (which along with smaller clean ups in rivers will help prevent plastics making it out to sea).

By 2026, 50 million kg of trash has been collected so far according to their timeline. They have been able to repurpose some of that plastic - one of the interesting projects was to use plastic salvaged from a river near Guatemala city, which was used to produce a Coldplay LP!

https://www.positive.news/environment/young-inventor-plans-to-stop-90-of-floating-sea-plastic-by-2040/

Some links to eco friendly vinyl:

https://pressonvinyl.com/ / https://www.normanrecords.com/eco-vinyl / https://atlasrecords.co.uk/blogs/all-about-vinyl/what-is-eco-vinyl

4) Gilbert the plastic eating robo fish!

The University of Surrey have created a plastic eating robot fish called ‘Gillbert’. Designed to swim through water eating up microplastics.

About the size of a salmon this 3D printed fish even has a tail to help steer it. Artificial gills help to guide water through mesh filters which trap the particles. The robo fish have been tested in lakes with the aim to make larger versions in the future.

https://ecoservantsproject.org/this-robo-fish-eats-microplastics-and-may-help-save-our-oceans/

Also check out this eco bot helping to cut back water pollution in the video below:

5) Seabed life triples after bottom trawling ban in Scotland

Scientists in a marine reserve, South of Arran, found life on the seabed increased significantly after a trawling ban was placed 10 years ago. 

In a sample they recorded more than 1,500 organisms in around 100 litres of sediment. This equates to three times more seabed organisms and twice as many species compared to nearby waters.

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/05/seabed-life-triples-after-bottom-trawling-ban-in-scotland-protected-area/

6) Ocean plastic clean-up for Commonwealth games Glasgow

There was a target of one million plastics to be cleared up from waterways in Commonwealth areas before the Commonwealth Games July 2026. This was reported by Positive News in June 2026, when 625k pieces of plastic had been collected.

On checking the Commonwealth Games website they have now made their target of a million. A job well done!

https://www.positive.news/environment/the-commonwealth-games-relay-taking-aim-at-ocean-plastic/ / https://www.commonwealthsport.com/kings-baton-relay/plastic-clean-ups

7) Deforestation rate is reducing – at last!

A new report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) showed that deforestation has slowed in every region of the world over the past decade with more than half of forests now covered by long-term management plans. More work is needed to decrease it further.

https://www.positive.news/society/good-news-stories-from-week-44-of-2025/

8) Restoring England's wildlife (selection of funds)

💚 A new campaign has been kick started by DEFRA called 'Wild Again: Restoring England’s Wildlife'. As part of this campaign, Natural England have pledged £90m in Apr 2026. 

£60m over 3 year period will fund a 'Species Recovery Programme' with a further £30m going to the National Forest. This will help reintroduce threatened species, protect against habitat loss plus support & restore our native woodlands.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/largest-ever-government-investment-in-threatened-species-recovery

🌳 A Community Fund has been pledged to help plant 500,000 trees by March 2030, with an additional monetary boost to local Mayors to help support nature & climate protection within their local community.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/local-communities-to-receive-79-million-to-restore-nature

🦅 Meanwhile, the government also pledged £1m for the reintroduction of Golden Eagles in England with juveniles set to be released in the North of England next year. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/iconic-golden-eagles-to-make-comeback-in-england 

9) Green bridge over A3 for wildlife

A new heathland bridge designed for safe animal crossing has been built over the A3 in Surrey which will connect two rare heathland areas. Funded by the National Highways, the 98ft wide bridge will also include a path for walkers, cyclists & horse riders to enjoy.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx24zw8ye57o

10) Building society launches savings account to aid Marine Conservation

In June it was announced a new savers account at Ecology Bank will be launched where 1% will go to marine projects supported by the charity Sea Changers. 

For information on the ‘Sea-Changers Impact Saver’ account go to:

https://www.ecology.co.uk/hub/new-partnership-ecology-savers-support-marine-conservation/ / https://www.sea-changers.org.uk/

If you are looking for other good ethical accounts try the pointers below at:
https://good-with-money.com/2026/06/24/top-9ethical-savings-accounts

⛄ A Christmas gift idea ⛄ 

For children - The Green Planet: For young wildlife-lovers, inspired by David Attenborough's series on BBC Earth (ages 6-9) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Planet-wildlife-lovers-inspired-Attenboroughs/dp/1405946687

For adults – A Wilding Year Gift Book by Hannah Wrendale of Wrendale Designs https://www.wrendaledesigns.co.uk/pre-order-a-wilding-year-gift-book

Check out more on Hannah’s work in re-introducing 

beavers & kingfishers into her wildlife area
https://www.wrendaledesigns.co.uk/wildwrendale

🍁

For other book ideas go to: 

For adults: https://www.lovelierplanet.com/2019/12/plastic-free-books.html 

Children: https://www.lovelierplanet.com/2020/01/eco-friendly-books-for-children.html

Items for sale in our store:

https://www.lovelierplanet.com/p/for-sale.html

Posts from Christmas Past:
https://www.lovelierplanet.com/search?q=christmas

🍁 Have a great Autumn/Winter - see you again soon! 🍁

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Lovelier News Apr

 Lovelier News for Spring 2026

Welcome to our latest round-up of Positive News - Enjoy!

1)  Liquid Air is on the Horizon

A new ‘liquid air’ plant at Manchester is thought to be the first commercial-scale endeavour in the world.  Air will be cleaned & compressed to a very high pressure. When cooled the compressed air turns into a liquid form for storage.

When energy is needed, the liquid air is evaporated & turned into gas, which can be used to drive turbines & generate electricity. 

The turbine is set to begin operating August 2026, which will help to stabilise the electricity grid. What an ingenious idea!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20251009-the-liquid-air-alternative-to-fossil-fuels

2)  UK to Ban Plastic Wipes

Wet wipes are often found littering our beaches & waterways. During a Defra beach monitoring survey they reported an average of 20 wet wipes littering every 100 metres of beach across the UK - yikes. 

Wet wipes can easily block sewers too. New legislation by the UK government will now require companies to phase out plastic wipes by 2027.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plastic-wet-wipes-ban

3)  Beavers Make a Splash Back

Last year, Pensthorpe estate confirmed the first free-living wild beaver recorded in Norfolk for several hundred years. New camera footage confirmed two individual beavers now occupying a substantial lodge within Pensthorpe’s restored wetlands. 

The discovery confirms the presence of a settled wild pair in Norfolk for the first time in 500 years.

https://www.pensthorpe.com/beavers-at-pensthorpe/

More good news - a pair of Beavers (named Beryl & Bertie) were released in a wetland area North of Shrewsbury last year. They have been seen on video with baby beavers making the first recorded evidence of beavers breeding in Shropshire, for 400 years. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4dw7p2dlvo

4)  900% Increase after Rewilding in Sussex

A disused farm at Knepp Estate, Sussex reported a 900% increase in breeding birds after a successful rewilding project including turtle doves & nightingales. Butterflies & damsel flies have increased in large numbers too. A win, win – old land put to good use & an increase in biodiversity.

https://www.positive.news/environment/how-a-dysfunctional-english-farm-became-a-biodiversity-hotspot/

5)  Rewilding Scotland Reaches Milestone

The Northwood Rewilding Project in Scotland was started in 2021 & so far 100 landowners have taken part. 

The results are astonishing with over 300 thousand trees planted, 300 ponds created, kilometres of hedges planted & 35 beavers released, plus loads more besides! https://www.scotlandbigpicture.com/northwoods

6)  British Wildlife to Feature on New Bank Notes

The Bank of England are planning to add British Wildlife to new bank notes being printed soon. A public consultation will go ahead this summer, to ask which animal should be printed on the notes. Do you have your own favourite?

https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2026/march/wildlife-feature-on-next-series-of-banknotes

7)  Thin Lizzy Guitarist joins Fox Project

Thin Lizzy’s lead guitarist Scott Gorman has recently joined the Fox Project based in Kent as a patron. He became fascinated and beguiled by the foxes in his garden and wanted to do more to protect the species.

He joins 2 other patrons Chris Packham & Anneka Svenska (a TV host who founded You Tube’s Animal Watch). 

https://foxproject.org.uk/pages/about-us

8)  Horse Power in Scotland

Tarzan the logging horse has been enrolled to clear non native trees from islands on the shore of Loch Arkaig in Scotland. Non native conifers were planted in the 1960’s, drowning out native Caledonian pines. 

A custom made barge has been designed to help carry the timber across to the main land with Tarzan helping to pull trees from inaccessible areas. 

The barge whose Gaelic name is Each-Uisge translates as 'Water Horse' – how fitting!

This lovely project was funded by players of the Postcode Lottery.

https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/news/charity/straight-from-the-horses-mouth

9)  Crane Chick Numbers Start to Fly

The species of Crane became extinct in the UK 400 years ago, but we’re starting to see a turn around. Last year there were 87 pairs across the UK with 37 chicks, bringing the total population to about 250.

The Fen at Lakenheath, Suffolk have created a haven for crane chicks including a runway for adult birds to take off (they are over a metre tall!) The site has seen 26 chicks being raised since 2007, which is a record number of chicks.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgr45pdz35o

10)  Butterfly Friendly Town in Dorset

A town council in Dorset has pledged to become the first official Butterfly Friendly town in the UK. Gillingham have previously received nature-friendly Green Flag Awards for their biodiversity plans.

They hope to create a special 'moon meadow' - an area with dedicated planting for night-flying moths and other nocturnal creatures.

https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/dorset-council-pledges-to-create-butterfly-friendly-town

In other good news, the large tortoiseshell butterfly, previously thought to be extinct, has been spotted in several counties across England & the Isle of Wight. 

https://insideecology.com/2026/03/10/extinct-butterfly-the-large-tortoiseshell-seen-across-england-in-suspected-de-extinction-process/

 

Did You Know that 22^nd April is Earth Day this Year?

🌍 Check out the Earth Day page for more detail - plus pick up some tips on reducing plastics: https://www.earthday.org/factsheet-landing-page/ 

🌍 Ecosia are hoping to plants 250 million trees by Earth Day. Ecosia is a free web browser you can use for every day web searching:  

https://www.ecosia.org/browser/

🌍 Check out the new mobile phone provider Eco Talk who use their profits to help rewilding projects. Chris Packham is one of the members on the team: 
https://www.ecotalk.co.uk/

🌍 Eco Kids Magazine – suitable for children age 7-11, an award winning magazine to inspire children to love and protect our planet:
https://www.ecokidsplanet.co.uk/

🌍 Crave more Happy News? Check out our previous posts at: 

https://www.lovelierplanet.com/p/lovelier-news.html

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To see if there’s an Earth Day event near you, head over to: 
https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2026/

Easy Being Green!

Can it be Easy to be Green?

I’m sure like me you’re wondering on little things you can do to make the world a better place. ‘Tis difficult for sure but there are some ways you can help a little in taking care of the planet & each other.

Here’s a few tips most of which I’ve tried myself & they’re very easy to do!

1) Eco Talk – this mobile card SIM can be bought from £5 a month & you can use your current number if you want to. The company was set up by the founder of Ecotricity & backed by Chris Packham. Profits go towards setting up & maintaining wildlife conservation projects.

More info at: https://www.ecotalk.co.uk/

2) Ecology – this online ethical building society allows you to set up savings accounts including cash ISAs & they support mortgages for eco build homes. The savings interest is reasonable too.

For info go to: https://www.ecology.co.uk/

3) Ecotricity – they are voted by Which as Best Eco Provider October 2023 & 2024 so they must be doing good! Ecotricity is also recommended by Friends of the Earth. 

Founded by Dale Vince OBE, an eco activist who also founded the Eco Talk mobile plan above.

More info at: https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/

4) Ecosia - a search engine site where each click can generate donations towards planting trees. The browser is used by the Imperial College NHS Trust, who helped plant 229,000 trees thanks to over 11 million searches made by staff.

Super easy to get started & you can add it as your default search engine to keep up the sterling work!

The greenest browser on Earth! https://www.ecosia.org/browser

5) Ecover – a company that produces washing up liquid, household sprays, clothes & dishwasher products & refills. 

See their products at: https://www.ecover.com/en/uk/

I have been addicted recently to their website that has retro game tetris re-invented (the aim is stack ‘em up like you would your dishwasher, get them in anyway you can!)

Try your luck at: https://uk.ecover.com/tetris/

6) Ethical Superstore – a great site absolutely packed full of eco products from household cleaners, body washes, fashion, pets products, gifts & so much more.

Mosey on down to: https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/

7) Ethical Consumer - when you're looking at pension schemes, banks, travel companies, retail brands & more you want to know which ones are the good eggs v the bad. This consumer group really delves into their practises & helps you make an informed choice.

Check them out at: https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/

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Christmas Gift Ideas

As Christmas is fast approaching check out our tips on reducing waste or books you can buy in the links below. 

Our store has some re-usable Christmas Crackers that should last you for years to come. Just fill your own using pre-made fabric cracker sleeves with integrated candy-striped twine, or you can buy some of our crackers with seed balls inside. These can help keep the insects happy next summer. 

We also do home made wash cloths (for bathing or dishes) with lots of different designs. Some festive ones, animals (birds, fox, butterflies) & flowers or sea life designs & a limited selection of make up face wipes - these can be washed & used again & come with a little hessian tote bag.

I also upcycle old bottles with decorative fairy lights. The batteries are replaceable so you can keep it going for years to come. Many to choose from in our Etsy* page so why not take a look. 

*Save 12% when you order 2 or more items - use SAVE12 code during checkout!

The lovely artist Hannah Dale has written a book about her rewilding experience called 'A Wilding Year'. Grab a signed copy at: 
https://www.wrendaledesigns.co.uk/limited-edition-a-wilding-year-book

You may know her from nature inspired Wrendale designs found on plates, cups, calendars & so much more.

Check out this list of other eco books too for adults & children.

I love this idea, why not donate your unused teddies to 'Loved Before' & they will pamper it with some spa treatment & do any repairs before reselling, or buy a teddy that once had a family but needs a new home. They can be found in some Selfridge Stores or sold online. 

Check out: https://www.lovedbefore.london/

Or Store Locations: https://www.lovedbefore.london/about-us/find-us-in-the-wild

Some proceeds go to Make a Wish Foundation so the teddies are happy, & poorly children get to feel awesome too. 💚🧸💚

Or the company 'Memory Bears' makes teddies from loved ones clothing. Think about Grandad or Grandma who passed away. Why not keep them in your memory by sending some clothing samples to be made into a bear & pass it down to the younger generation to have an extra cuddle.

https://www.memorybears.co.uk/

More Gift Ideas Below

Some top tips on reducing waste this Christmas – seek out gifts from antique shops, they had a previous life so re-usable & some beautiful items can be found, who knows maybe they will make some cash one day!

Make your own gifts, something special to show that you care could help the environment too. You could even ask for craft items that locals may want to give away so could be a cheap option - Trash to Treasure sites on Facebook are a great place to start. 

Spruce Crafts has some great ideas on home made gift ideas or try this site for home made decorations you can try with the whole family.

Check out charity shops – many charities have online stores where you can browse for Christmas gifts, or why not sponsor an animal, you'll be supporting a good cause whilst buying a gift for someone special.

Lots of charities are listed in our directory to give you some ideas.

Or gift someone an experience day, know as red letter days or why not give them a home made voucher they can cash in of something you can do together, such as coffee & cake one day, redeem when required. Gift a trip to the zoo another day, that sort of thing!

Another kind gesture is to place an item or two in the food bank bins on your way out the supermarket this Winter, help feed some hungry tummies to make yourself & them feel better. 

More Useful links for an Eco Friendly Christmas:

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Books Galore
Festive Dreams
Green Christmas
Cost of Living Tips!
Less Waste at Xmas
Have an Eco Christmas
🎄 Homemade Items for Sale 🎄

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Positive News Autumn 2025

I Forecast Good News Coming Your Way!

I don't know about you but the constant drip of bad news can be quite a Debbie Downer. So perk yaself up with some feel good stories..

1. Recycle Microfibres in your Wash

Microfibres can be found in all sorts of places including washed up in beaches from discarded waste, or even from simply washing our clothes. A start up company in Cornwall have designed a new filter to catch microfibres - they can be sent in for recycling to help make construction or packaging materials.

https://www.positive.news/society/good-news-stories-from-week-25-of-2025/

Check out our post on ‘The Story of Microfibres’ by Lovelier Planet.

2. A Tidal Energy Milestone

Scotland is one of the world leaders in tidal energy – not reliant on sun or wind but making energy from strong tidal currents. The MeyGen site off the Scottish coast are delighted that their turbines have exceeded six years in sea water without needing any maintenance.

https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/07/08/turbine-in-scotland-hits-very-significant-milestone-in-a-breakthrough-for-tidal-energy

Check out our ‘Eco News in Scotland’ post for some more great achievements!


3. Conservation Bringing Back Species across The UK

A Species Recovery Programme funded £13m from 2023 to 2025 which supported over 150 species according to Natural England. The project include building tunnels for Adders to safely navigate roads, to supporting rare species such as water voles, oyster catchers & orchids.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/c5ypkx206r4o

Check out these other feel good stories on the benefits of supporting nature:

Water Voles Returning to England: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/c5yd3zdlw46o

Golden Eagle Chick Born in Scotland: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2pxwl09w3o

Beavers Help Water Voles Survive: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/c0ddyl83jjro

Other Positive News for Wildlife by Lovelier Planet:
https://www.lovelierplanet.com/2020/06/positive-news-for-wildlife.html


4. Peatland Recovery through Wet Farming!

The PaluWise Project EU will transform rewetted peatland into ‘wet farming’ which involves growing crops on wetlands without draining them.

The Great Fen across Cambridgeshire will join sites in Poland, Finland and the Netherlands to take part in the four-year pilot.

Quoted in Positive News ‘Besides locking up carbon in restored peat soil, it has the potential to create havens for wetland wildlife such as birds, voles and insects.’

https://www.positive.news/society/good-news-stories-from-week-26-of-2025/


5. Garbage Cafes – Food in Exchange for Plastic Waste

New garbage cafes are popping up in India. Volunteers are rewarded with food in exchange for plastic waste that is brought in. 

The plastic waste is cleaned up from the streets by volunteers & sent off to be recycled, helping to clean the streets & fill hungry tums at the same time. Bravo!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20250818-the-indian-garbage-cafes-giving-out-food-in-exchange-for-plastic-waste


6. Flexible Plastics Recycling in your Bin Collection

10 local authorities took part in trials in the UK to collect flexible (soft) plastics from households in their normal bin collection. 

Over 400 tonnes of flexible plastic packaging was collected from 160,000 households during the trials – equivalent to more than 50 million bread bags.

The UK government is hoping to introduce this country wide by 2027.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/uk-flexible-plastic-recycling-trials-172025421.html


7. Recycling Fishing Nets through Ocean Recovery Project

Tidy Britian via the Ocean Recovery Project have rescued & recycled fishing nets & body boards from UK beaches. Did you know that fishing nets contain plastics which can be washed, ground up into pellets & re-used for another purpose?

https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/uk-fishing-net-recycling /

To discourage beach goers from buying body boards (shipped over from China en masse) & discarding them onto British beaches, a new scheme to hire a board for £1 was introduced to beaches across the South West which has helped cut down waste at an affordable price.

https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/news/keep-britain-tidy-fights-back-against-polluting-bodyboard-wave-waste

8. NHS Plants 1 Million Trees via Ecosia

The NHS have pledged to use the online search engine Ecosia for web searches to help fund tree planting across the world. In return, Ecosia donated trees to be planted around NHS Trusts. Imperial College NHS Trust helped plant over 229,000 trees thanks to more than 11 million searches made by staff.

https://www.essexmagazine.co.uk/2025/09/nhs-staff-help-plant-1-million-trees-through-ecosia-partnership/


9. More than 10 Million Trees Planted in Northern Forest

In our Save The Trees article in 2019 we spoke of the Woodland Trusts plan to plant 50 million trees in a Northern Forest (an area spreading across from Liverpool to Hull). In July 2025 a milestone has been reached of 10 million trees planted to date.

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/press-centre/2025/07/more-than-10-million-trees-planted-across-the-northern-forest/


10. Halloween Clothes Swap in Devon

For families living in Devon, local libraries are hosting Halloween costume swaps for children to bring their old costume & choose something new. This helps to reduce waste & is great for growing kids, as they step into something new. Ghoulishly good idea!

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/families-devon-urged-join-library-040000407.html

Some Extra Goodies for You

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How to build an ARK (Acts of Restorative Kindness):

https://wearetheark.org/

New life for old plastic – how plastics are recycled: https://britishrecycledplastic.co.uk/about-us/plastic-recycling-process/

Re-used paint network (donate unused paint to a worthy cause):

https://communityrepaint.org.uk/the-uks-paint-reuse-network/

Ideas for Recycling Old Tyres:

https://www.boredpanda.com/recycling-tires-upcycling-diy-ideas/

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Check out more of our Positive News to keep you in the mood

All Things Christmas!

Check out our Home Made Products too

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Have a Great Autumn

Good News for 2025

Welcome to our good news blog to keep you in high spirits!

1) UK’s electricity cleanest ever in 2024

Fossil fuels made up 29% of the UK’s electricity in 2024 – the lowest level on record. A Carbon Brief report showed renewable sources more than doubled from 65TWh in 2014 to 143TWh in 2024 (+122%).

https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uks-electricity-was-cleanest-ever-in-2024/

2) Bumblebee populations increase 116 times in Scotland

Surveys of bumblebees in a 90 acre site near Perth, recorded around 50 bees in 2021. By 2023, after the site was rewilded, bumblebee numbers had topped 4000, with the number of different bee species doubling.

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/bumblebees-increase-by-more-than-100x-in-remarkable-scotland-rewilding-project-from-35-bees-to-over-4000/

3) Bee corridor in Letchworth wins award

Letchworth was granted ‘Bee Friendly’ status from the Bee Friendly Trust in 2024. 

North Herts council planted more bee friendly shrubs on roundabouts, rewilded grass verges, put up more bee hotels, and made and gave away bee seed bombs.

The council allocated £10,000 to develop more bee corridors in North Herts, with Royston next on the list!

https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/news/award-winning-letchworth-bee-corridor-coming-royston

4) Funding in Hackney for bees

£250k worth of funding was allocated to create bee corridors around Hackney in 2024. Funded by the National Lottery Grant, the 3 year project aims to plant a green passageway with the help of local residents, to encourage bees and other wildlife.

https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2024/04/08/environmentalists-buzzing-250k-funding-bee-corridor-hackney/

See a bug-life video below about b-lines & how local corridors can help insects flourish: 

5) Community windfarm to fund a million trees in Hebrides

Trees are being planted in the Western Isles of Scotland in old abandoned crofts. The seeds, sourced by Hebridean Tree Ark, are harvested from local trees found clinging to cliffs as well as from uninhabited islands.

Four-fifths of the funding is from the £900,000 annual profits, made by three wind turbines owned by Point and Sandwick trust.

https://www.theenergymix.com/community-wind-farm-empowers-hebrides-reforestation-effort/

6) New rainforest in UK funded by Government Species Fund planted by drones

In a project led by the Woodland Trust, high-tech drones scattered 75,000 seeds across Bodmin in Cornwall.

The Woodland Trust hopes the new seeds will triple the area of temperate rainforest in Devon and Cornwall, to 24% of land area by 2050.

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/press-centre/2025/03/drone-sows-75000-native-tree-seeds-in-cornwall-and-devon/

Learn more about English rainforest conservation below:
https://www.positive.news/environment/restoring-britains-lost-rainforests/

7) 20 million trees will be planted a new Western Forest

In 2024, the West of England became the first region to publish a Local Nature Recovery Strategy. They’re aiming to create a new forest area of 2,500 hectares of woodland by 2030 - with a longer term plan to plant 20 million trees by 2050.

https://www.wenp.org.uk/priority-programmes/western-forest

8) Irish company giving a new life to wind turbines

Decommissioned wind turbines can be put to good use. Bladebridge (which is a spin off of Re-Wind) is giving new life to old blades, including parts of a bridge, bike stores & an e-hub. 

See more at: https://www.bladebridge.ie/

Another cool idea is a small house built inside one of the blades, developed by a Swedish company in the Netherlands https://www.positive.news/society/the-decommissioned-wind-turbine-that-became-a-tiny-home/

9) Prisoners help to recycle old fishing nets

A recycling scheme that collects & sorts fishing equipment has been renewed for another 3 years. Port of Jersey started the scheme in 2023 & 430 lobster pots, 66 tonnes of rope & 9000m of nets, had been collected through the scheme.

The project is run by the Jersey port; alongside the government, Jersey Fishermen's Association and the prison service.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwydjv94q22o

10) Green washing to be banned in the EU

The EU wants to make sure that all information on a product’s impact on the environment, longevity, repairability, composition, production and usage is backed up by verifiable sources.

MEPs approved the agreement in January 2024 - EU countries have 24 months to incorporate the update into their national law.

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20240111STO16722/stopping-greenwashing-how-the-eu-regulates-green-claims

Can you spot green wash claims? Try this quiz by Greenpeace: 
https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/spot-the-greenwashing-quiz/

Check out our post too on green washing: Green Wash and Wish Cycling

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⚘⚘ Reasons for climate hope in 2025 ⚘⚘

https://blog.ecosia.org/why-theres-reasons-for-climate-hope-in-2025/

  Ignore your lawn in May, to help pollinators thrive! 

https://www.plantlife.org.uk/campaigns/nomowmay/

 Did you know 4th–10th May 2025 is British Hedgehog Awareness Week 

https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/give-hedgehogs-the-edge-this-hedgehog-awareness-week/

https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ is a great resource too!

Click here to see more good news - enjoy!

🦔 Thank you for visiting 🦔

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Good News for 2024

Positive Eco news for 2024

I don't know about you but the constant trickle of bad news can't be good for us so every now & then I like to add a bit of positivity to our lives. 

Here's some feel good stories for this year - hope you enjoy!

1) Could Cement be used to Store Energy?

Renewable energy solutions often involve sun & wind power but these can be unreliable due to fluctuating weather conditions. 

These innovative concrete batteries can be used to store energy & in turn could prevent our over reliance on lithium batteries.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240610-how-the-concrete-in-your-house-could-be-turned-into-a-battery

Also check out this article on sand batteries – it’s great to see such innovative ideas!

https://happyeconews.com/sand-battery-energy-storage-for-renewables/

2) Harnessing Energy from Bacteria

Soil microbial fuel cells are being developed on farms, which can capture energy from chemical reactions occurring naturally in soil. 

When connected to carbon-based electrodes the electrons created by microorganisms in the soil are turned into energy, which can then be used by the farm.

https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/06/12/install-and-forget-soil-powered-batteries-could-bring-cheap-clean-energy-to-farms-in-europ

3) Scotland Exceeds Energy in Renewables

Recently released data shows that Scotland covered over 100% of its energy needs in 2022. 

Wind and hydro power helped them generate the equivalent of 113 per cent of Scotland’s gross electricity consumption. That’s wonderful news!

https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/01/29/enormous-potential-inside-scotlands-green-strategy-to-power-the-nation-solely-with-renewab

4) Gas Emissions Dropping in Europe

Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU dropped 8% last year. 

This brings greenhouse gas pollution below 1990 levels. Mostly driven by the use of renewable energy, I’m hoping the trend continues!

https://www.positive.news/society/total-net-greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-the-eu-dropped-last-year/

5) Is your Wallpaper Electric?

An innovative project in Glasgow is trialling eco friendly electric wallpaper to heat tenement housing. The paper can be added to ceilings & creates heat within minutes.

Made from copper strips & graphene, it has a surface that emits invisible infra red into the home helping to warm the property & thereby reducing mould.

https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/10/19/glasgow-is-trialling-eco-friendly-electric-wallpaper-to-heat-its-ageing-homes

6) Animal Friendly Wind Turbines

Wind turbines can disturb animals, particularly in the flight paths of birds. A new motionless turbine has been developed which collects wind via airfoils in a sleek design. 

The 1st UK prototype has been installed in Oxford on the roof of BMW’s car plant.

https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/09/05/could-these-motionless-turbines-solve-wind-energys-noise-and-wildlife-problems

7) Wind Power in a Tree Design?

Sometimes nature can inspire us to up our game & this nature inspired ‘tree’ may fit the bill. It has micro turbines to convert wind into energy & could be used in built up areas. They run silently & benches can be placed underneath. 

One ‘leaf’ on the tree can produce 1,000 kilowatts per year. Not suited to be connected to the grid but they can power buildings individually.

https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/11/12/could-wind-trees-with-micro-turbines-be-a-solution-to-green-energy-in-tight-urban-spaces

8) Spoonbills born in the UK

Spoonbills were previously extinct with no chicks born since 1668. The RSPB have celebrated the birth of spoonbill chicks in Cambridgeshire this year!

Chicks have also been born in wetland reserves in Yorkshire, Suffolk & Norfolk.

https://www.rspb.org.uk/media-centre/spoonbill-breeding-success-sparks-renewed-hope

9) Tree sleeves made from British wool

British Wool have collaborated with a company to produce eco wool-based tree guards. These will help prevent young saplings being nibbled by passing animals or trampled underfoot.

The new tree sleeves will be biodegradeable & made using wool from British farms.

https://www.farminguk.com/news/british-wool-invests-in-firm-behind-eco-wool-based-tree-guards_64897.html

10) Cosy Houses from Tennis Balls

Wimbledon goes through many tennis balls (55k per year). They become less efficient when they lose their smoothness so often get discarded. However, they’ve been found to make perfect homes for field mice & they’re waterproof too.

Field mice can help aerate the soil & disperse seeds so they’re useful for supporting eco systems, a win-win for all!

https://happyeconews.com/wimbledon-donates-tennis-balls-to-be-used-as-homes-for-field-mice/

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Lots more news to keep ya positivity chips re-charged in the link below:

https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/10/31/positive-environmental-stories-from-2024

Happy Christmas & thank you so much for reading

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(Check out some of our previous posts to help you make eco friendly choices this Christmas):

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🌟🌟

Books Galore

Festive Dreams

Green Christmas

Cost of Living Tips!

Less Waste at Xmas

Have an Eco Christmas

 Homemade Items for Sale 

 

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