Good News!

6 Positive Environmental
Stories from February 2023

Gabrielle Clawson |  February 28, 2023 | 5 min read

6 Good Environmental News Stories from the Past Month that will Make You Smile 

Valentine’s Day may be over, but our love for the environment is bigger than ever! With February now drawing to a close, we want to take some time to celebrate the great things that happened this month. 2023 is shaping up to be a big year for the environment, and we want to ensure that you savor every moment of goodness!

From growing tree cover in cities to zero-waste stadiums, let’s celebrate every win together! So, snuggle up with a loved one and some leftover Valentine’s Day chocolate as we dive into the latest Good Nature News!

great barrier reef australia

Australia Protects Great Barrier Reef From Coal Mine

The Australian government has declined to grant permission for a proposed coal mine that would have gone in 10km from the Great Barrier Reef — for those of you on the imperial system of measurement, that’s just a little over 6 miles! The decision was made to protect the world’s largest coral reef system from further damage and pollution. The Reef is the world’s most complex ecosystem, and it plays a vital role in protecting coastlines, provides a  home to thousands of marine species, and more. 

wind turbine

Renewable Energy Is On the Rise

Renewable energy is a hot topic in the environmental sphere. We are constantly trying to figure out how to incorporate renewable energy into our everyday lives. But here’s the good news: it is projected that renewable energy will be the world’s #1 energy source by 2025! Today, coal is the top energy source, followed by renewables and gas. However, all of this will change in the coming years as renewable energy takes over and gets us that much closer to clean energy!

coral reef

Coral Reefs Survival Chances Increase

Scientists believe that the heat tolerance of coral reefs is increasing, which may be good news for the long-term survival of these delicate ecosystems. Because of this, scientists are now estimating that reefs in the eastern tropical Pacific ocean will possibly survive into the 2060s. Reducing greenhouse gases is still needed to protect these essential ecosystems, but their ability to adapt is an optimistic sign. 

solar energy

Solar Panels Could Make Apartment-Living Cheaper

Not only are solar panels better for the environment, but it turns out they also may be good for your wallet! In Wales, the world’s first solar system connects an array of apartment buildings to the same rooftop panels. This technology allows solar energy to be shared across multiple homes in one building. Thanks to this system, residents will save 50 percent of their electricity bill. This project proves that energy efficiency can help us deal with the climate crisis and help reduce the cost of living at the same time.

urban forestry

Planting Trees in the City Can Lower Temperatures

At One Tree Planted, there isn’t anything we love more than trees, but cities love trees just as much as we do! Cities experience what is known as the urban heat island effect, meaning that they experience higher temperatures for longer than rural areas do. With so much happening in cities, it’s no wonder they can get so hot. But there’s still hope! Planting trees in cities can help reduce temperatures and prevent heat-related deaths. From providing shade and moisture to deflecting the sun’s rays, and absorbing carbon, planting trees is the perfect way to reduce temperatures in major cities. 

baby seal

Baby Seals Spotted in Record Numbers

Let’s face it. There aren’t many things in this world that are cuter than baby seals. Fortunately, experts say that baby seals are being born in record numbers on the coast of Norfolk. The number of baby seals has doubled since the winter of 2019-2020. Not only does this mean that there will be more cute baby seals to enjoy, but it also means that despite climate change impacts on fishery stocks, adult seals remain healthy enough to breed. 

We hope you enjoyed reading February’s good news stories as much as we enjoyed featuring them! Remember, you can make a positive impact globally by planting trees where they are needed the most. 

Longleaf Pine Main Image
Longleaf Pine Restoration
Longleaf Pine Tree Planter
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Longleaf Pine Landscape
Longleaf Pine Planting
Longleaf Pine Main Image
Longleaf Pine Restoration
Longleaf Pine Tree Planter
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Longleaf Pine Landscape
Longleaf Pine Planting

Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most

As the need for reforestation is global and ever-changing, we feature where trees are most needed now. This project is currently supporting Longleaf Pine Restoration. Learn more

With your help, we will:

  • Protect wildlife habitat and increase biodiversity
  • Restore essential watersheds for soil stability and erosion control
  • Sequester carbon in the biomass of the forests through climate stability
  • Longleaf pine forests are among the most biodiverse in North America and provide habitat for numerous threatened and endangered species. Longleaf pine forests are well-adapted to a warming climate as longleaf pine is a resilient species that is fire-dependent, drought-tolerant, and long-lived. Reforestation of longleaf pine ecosystems- to increase, maintain, and enhance the species- has been identified as a priority area within America's Longleaf Range Wide Conservation Plan. 🌲
  • Our longleaf pine reforestation project will restore habitats, control soil erosion, and sequester carbon in an effort to stabilize the climate in the area. Not only will wildlife benefit from the clean air and water provided by the planted trees, but the surrounding community will, too. This project will work with a variety of landowners whose responsible forest management and stewardship will only further increase the benefits for species residing on the lands. Some of the most notable species that will benefit from habitat restoration include gopher tortoises, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and eastern indigo snakes
  • A personalized tree certificate (see gallery) to say thanks for your donation. We'll also send you updates about our Longleaf Pine Restoration project, so you can track the impact your trees are having on the ground!
  • We always plant a mix of diverse, native species from local nurseries. This project is working to replenish longleaf forests, so the native species grown in the nurseries will mainly be longleaf pine, but also include shortleaf pine and loblolly pine.

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