Positive News Autumn 21

 Positive News September 2021

Some good news stories to keep us in the mood!

1.     First Baby Beaver Born

The National Trust released 2 Eurasian beavers in Somerset and just 18 months later a new pup was born, the first in 400 years! 

Beavers became extinct in the 16th century but recently reintroduced to help with flooding defences. It didn't take long for the introduced beavers to get into the groove (see what I did there?)

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/press-release/first-beaver-born-on-exmoor-for-400-years

2.     Pine Martens Make a Comeback

The first pine martens born in England for 200 years have been caught on camera. Eighteen pine martens were moved from Scotland to the Forest of Dean and three of the females have since given birth. 

Beavers and pine martens dwindled due to hunting and loss of woodland. It is great to see moves to bring them back but we must protect them for the future.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-gloucestershire-53363491

3.              Irish Baron Rewilds Estate

An Irish baron, Randall Plunkett turned his 1600 acre estate in County Meath, Ireland into a refuge for nature.

Cattle, sheep, crops and lawns are no longer part of the estate but shrubs, trees and flowers are taking shape. Many trees have been planted by the local wildlife, Plunkett recalls.

Before, the estate had just three types of grass, now it has 23. “I didn’t do it, the birds did.” 

Trees regenerated and multiplied – oak, ash, beech, Scots pine and black poplar. “I see a lot of saplings growing that I haven’t planted.”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/07/people-think-youre-an-idiot-death-metal-irish-baron-rewilds-his-estate

4.             Jays Planting Trees 

A research centre in the heart of Cambridgeshire was left to re-wild for 60 years. They found shrubs and trees were planted, not by man, but by the local wildlife including thrushes, jays and squirrels. 

52% of the trees in Monks Wood are oaks and jays love to cache oaks, thereby planting a tree. Good work, hey?

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/monks-wood-wilderness-60-years-115910314.html

5.             Shire Horses Mow Cambridge Uni Meadow

The wildflower meadow at King’s College, Cambridge was harvested this year with the aid of two Shire horses. The horses cut the meadow on Monday 2nd August. 

The bales will later be used to create more wildflower meadows across the city of Cambridge.

https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/news/2021/wildflower-meadow-harvested-aid-shire-horses

6.             Cows Digesting Plastic?

Scientists in Vienna (Austria) found that bacteria living inside a cow’s rumen can digest certain plastics, including those used to make single-use packaging. 

The results of the study found that three different types plastics could be broken down in “hours” by the rumen liquid. So we can stop blaming them for belching methane, eh?

https://www.positive.news/science/cows-are-being-touted-as-the-latest-solution-to-plastic-pollution/

7.             English Moor Used as CO2 Sponge 

Peatland in the West Pennines near Manchester is being used to soak up CO2. The peat had dried up due to over grazing and wildfires so banks were created to help trap water and improve the condition of the moor. 

In good condition peat bogs can absorb twice as much carbon as forests.

https://www.positive.news/environment/climate-crisis-english-moor-turned-into-giant-sponge-to-absorb-co2/

8.             Football Going Green 

A Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea game was billed as the first major net-zero carbon football match. 

Tottenham Hotspur is currently the greenest club in the Premier League, using reusable cups, waterless urinals, veggie alternatives and green energy supplies.

Forest Green Rovers site is run on green energy, serves vegan food, has an organic pitch and electric car charging points. https://www.fgr.co.uk/eco-park.

Other clubs are looking at solar power, LED bulbs instead of flood lighting and providing public transport to reduce car traffic at the match.

More in the link below..

https://www.positive.news/lifestyle/sport/climate-crisis-the-football-clubs-making-net-zero-more-competitive/ 

9.             Travel by Rail and Plant a Tree

Positive news reported of a new company called 'Tree Hugger' where for every rail ticket bought a tree is planted. 

The green travel company has joined forces with the Royal Forestry Society and the Royal Scottish Forestry Society to optimise the planting. A new app is being developed soon.

https://www.positive.news/lifestyle/travel/green-travel-every-time-you-buy-a-train-ticket-this-company-will-plant-a-tree/

10.             Be Free and Go Fly Free!

Meanwhile a new company called 'Byway' was launched in 2020. After the public reviewed their ways to travel due to Covid restrictions as well as environmental concerns the founders noticed a rise in travellers wanting a slower way to travel.

https://www.positive.news/lifestyle/slow-travel-the-no-fly-agency-that-wants-to-take-you-the-scenic-route/

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Here's Some Ways to Help the Planet:

1) Truckers Clean Up:

Did you know there is a Facebook page called 'Truckers Cleaning Up Britain'? Truckers often see discarded rubbish thrown into laybys and have grouped together to share their clean up ventures as they go. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/393605774773227

2) Insurance for Nature:

If you're looking for home, business or charity group insurance, why not check out this company that supports nature? They are also offering a 12 month subscription to Positive News magazine, so a win win!

https://www.naturesave.co.uk/positivenews/

3) Restarting Your Electrics:

Do you love to fix things? Are you in need of something fixing yourself? Check out the Restart Project for some ideas on events that may be happening near you. You can also host your own event too.

https://therestartproject.org/

Check out my other feel good stories at: 

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