February positive news
10 POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS STORIES FROM THIS MONTH.
Article by: Eveline Vouillemin
Amidst the global climate challenges we face, February 2024 brought a ray of hope. Our selection of climate positive news stories showcase remarkable strides in nature conservation efforts, renewable energy innovations, and inspiring collective action, signalling a promising path towards a greener future.
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1. Old Christmas trees are helping to rebuild Lancashire's last remaining sand dunes
Every February for two days, hundreds of locals descend on a beach near Blackpool where they spend hours digging trenches in the sand and then fill them with old Christmas trees, buried up to their bottom branches. The next time the wind blows, the trees will catch grains of sand in their branches and help to rebuild Lancashire's last remaining dunes.
You can find out more on the Sky website.
2. Biodiversity rules introduced for builders in England to compensate for loss of nature
England is launching a biodiversity credit scheme that attempts to force all new road and house building projects to benefit nature, rather than damage it.
It means all new building projects must achieve a 10% net gain in biodiversity or habitat. If a woodland is destroyed by a road, for example, another needs to be recreated. This can happen either on site or elsewhere.
You can find out more on The Guardian website.
3. Preserving a green oasis in the heart of London
An inner London housing estate residents came together to protect their local park. They stopped council contractors from mistakenly chopping down one of Meath Gardens’ most beautiful mature trees and then, encouraged by their success, they formed a group to take over the running of the four-hectare green space.
You can find out more on the Geographical website.
4. Local residents plant 9,000 trees in the Peak District
Members of the Dane Valley Climate Action Group (DVCAG) are set to plant 200 saplings on the western fringes of the Peak District National Park. The group has planted in over 50 places south of Macclesfield since 2019.
You can find out more on the BBC website.
5. The climate schemes providing family friendly spaces
The Levern Water in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, has been regenerated by removing derelict buildings, creating a wild meadow and installing picnic tables.
As well as being a local amenity, the £2.8m project has also been built to create a flood plain and prevent properties being deluged by heavy rain. Scottish ministers say it is the sort of project which is needed to protect against the impacts of climate change.
You can find out more on the BBC website.
6. Cairngorms net zero national park plan secures lottery funding
Almost £11m of lottery funding has been awarded to a project to make the Cairngorms the UK's first net zero national park.
The park authority (CNPA) has proposed creating more than 2,470 acres (1,000ha) of new woodland and restoring 16,061 acres (6,500ha) of peatland.
It also plans to improve walking and cycling routes and pioneer nature-friendly farming to help it reduce emissions and absorb carbon dioxide.
You can find out more on the BBC website
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7. Increase in renewable electricity generation in EU last year
More of Europe’s electricity came from wind power than fossil gas for the first time ever last year.
That’s according to the latest annual review from clean energy think tank Ember. Wind and solar produced a record 27 per cent of the bloc’s electricity in 2023 while coal and gas fell to its lowest ever level at just 12 per cent of the EU’s electricity generation.
You can find out more on the Euronews website.
8. The volunteers fighting to conserve NI’s wildlife
The Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group was founded in 1991. It has 44 registered members and hundreds of supporters. Its volunteers visit breeding and wintering sites to record the status of each species. They also search for and document new sites.
Dr Rooney from NI Raptor Study Group said, "The amount of unpaid time and expertise dedicated to recording the environment around us by citizen scientists in Northern Ireland is incredible and cannot be underestimated".
You can find out more on the BBC website.
9. UK quits treaty that lets fossil fuel firms sue governments over climate policies
The UK is pulling out of a treaty that lets fossil fuel firms sue governments over their climate policies.
The UK will quit the controversial Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) after efforts to align it with Net Zero emissions plans failed, the government announced late on Wednesday.
You can find out more on The Guardian website.
10. A disused mine in Finland is being turned into a renewable energy storage centre
One of Europe’s deepest mines is being transformed into an underground energy store. It will use gravity to retain excess power for when it is needed.
The remote Finnish community of Pyhäjärvi is 450 kilometres north of Helsinki. Its more than 1,400-metre-deep zinc and copper Pyhäsalmi mine was decommissioned but is now being given a new lease of life by Scotland-based company Gravitricity.
You can find out more on the Euronews website.
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