Good News! 6 Positive Environmental Stories from January 2023

In the face of challenging social, political, economic and environmental realities, 2022 was a year that required resilience and innovation in the reforestation space. Through it all, One Tree Planted persevered and focused on what we do best: planting trees! Together with our incredible network of global planting partners (463 and growing!), we planted 52,793,657 trees through 327 impactful projects in 74 countries around the world! We're so proud to continue our journey of incredible growth every year by planting over 2x the trees we did in 2021. That said, it's the individual stories, the years long partnerships that, when the days are long and the obstacles many, warm our hearts and strengthen our resolve to continue our work planting trees and growing forests around the world.

Based on extensive studies and research conducted by top international experts, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) recently reported that the Earth’s ozone layer is currently on track to recover within four decades, largely thanks to the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali amendment. The Montreal Protocol is a global agreement to protect Earth’s ozone by phasing out the chemicals that deplete it, while the Kigali Amendment (introduced in 2016) aims to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are known to be potent greenhouse gases. 

Known as one of B.C.’s greatest treasures, the endangered rainforest within Incomappleux Valley will now be protected by a new 58,000 hectare conservancy that will prevent logging, mining and hydroelectric development in the northern three-quarters of the valley. With less than 5% of Canada’s inland temperate rainforest remaining, this conservancy aims to protect the unique forest ecosystem as well as the many at-risk species and old-growth trees that depend on it for survival.

Over 6 billion fast-food meals are served each year in France, creating about 2 million tonnes of waste annually. As of January 1st, the country is prohibiting fast-food restaurants from offering single-use plastic boxes and cutlery. Eco-friendly options such as paper wrappers and reusable containers will help restaurants adjust to the new ban. This single-use plastic ban follows the ban France put in place last year that prohibits plastic packaging for 30 types of fruits and vegetables. 

Heal Somerset, England’s newest £5.25m rewilding site aims to tackle the climate crisis while protecting nature, growing food and creating job opportunities. Founded during the pandemic, rewilding charity Heal was born out of a need to help recover England’s nature and improve the livelihoods of local communities. Heal is working to establish recovery sites in all 48 English counties by the year 2050.