5 Good Environmental News Stories from the Past Month that will Make You Smile
Can you believe it’s aIready the holiday season? We know that some of you are already celebrating the season by bundling up to find the perfect tree or ventured out to enjoy the festive lights! When it comes to the environment, this past month has been jam-packed with climate-focused events such as the G20 summit and COP 27. We wrapped up all of our Plant A Tree Day events with a bow just in time to share with you how they went before you become busy with your holiday plans. Enjoy a few of our favourite highlights from November that you can celebrate all winter long!
Get ready to smile and fill up your cup with some positivi-TREE because it is time for some GOOD NEWS!
Plant a Tree Day Planting Events Wrapped Up
Reforestation is so much more than just trees! The Earth’s forests are a huge part of the planet’s connectivity and forests even play an important role in the water cycle. At this point, most of you have already heard of the incredible ability trees have when it comes to sequestering climate change causing carbon. A new study conducted showed that forests produce clouds that also protect the planet from the sun’s rays. The study also revealed that many climate models do not take this into consideration when it could be yet another natural solution that trees can provide in mitigating rising temperatures.
G20 recommitted to a global temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius
Leaders at the G20 summit committed to limiting global temperatures to 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industral levels, which will aid in potentially avoiding extremely detrimental impacts of climate change. Information about this agreement was sent to those in attendance at COP 27. Some of the nations with the highest emissions have now recommitted to this target and hope this will push others to follow suit. Discussion of implementation strategies to keep the 1.5 degrees alive were had, with intentions of setting both short and long term goals.
Scientists are adapting marshlands to help understand future effects of climate change
A once in a decade rainstorm known as a TEMPEST dropped 70,000 gallons of rain near the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland this past June. A TEMPEST is a Terrestrial Ecosystem Manipulation to Probe the Effects of Storm Treatments, or a human made storm. In an experiment to understand the rising sea levels and prepare for the future. With a plan to learn from flooding a forest with different kinds of water to understand how the trees would handle the TEMPEST. As one experiment in a large process to understand what the future holds, marshlands are helping many scientists prepare for the effects of climate change.
Real Vs. Fake Christmas trees: Which is better for the environment?
We spend a lot of time talking about the benefits of trees and why you shouldn’t cut them down, but you may be wondering “Is it okay to cut down a a Christmas tree?” or “Are Christmas trees eco-friendly?”. The answers to these questions may catch you by surprise and we’re here to alleviate concerns for all Christmas-loving environmentalists by answering these questions and more.
The California Condor is soaring after help from conservationists
As an attempt to save the species from extinction, the last remaining California Condor birds were captured in 1987. Thanks to a multimillion dollar conservation program, there are now more than 200 condors living in the wild. The California Condor has been listed on the Green Status of Species on the IUCN to classify the birds with how they are functioning after conservation actions.
How are you feeling now eco-warrior? Revived? Inspired? Ready to spread more positivity and hope into the new month? If you’re not quite there check out more good news from recent months to really ramp up the positivity! And if you are ready to take action, join us in most major cities this month and next at one of our Plant a Tree Day tree planting events!