Good News From The Month Of April
Earth Month might be coming to a close, but we will continue to celebrate all the amazing things our beautiful planet does for us! This month was full of environmental wins as people around the world came together to help make our planet a better place through tree planting, trash cleanup, and conservation efforts. We want to end this Earth Month on a positive note, so let’s talk about all the amazing environmental news that happened in April.
From tree-planting events to plastic bag bans, let’s celebrate every win together! And one last time from our environmental family to yours, happy Earth Month! Thank you for helping us celebrate our beautiful planet all month long!
One Tree Planted Celebrated Earth Day by Planting Trees
Never shy about getting our hands in the dirt, the One Tree Planted team, Forest Fest attendees, and over 300 local volunteers came together on Earth Day to plant over 3,000 trees at the Yellow Barn Farm in Loveland, Colorado! We braved cold temperatures and a fresh blanket of snow to plant a mix of trees and shrubs along swales that are designed to retain water in the landscape. Our day concluded with live music, food and vendors to celebrate this hard work.
Historic Clean Energy Line Delivers Energy Across Europe
Europe is on the rise when it comes to clean energy! The UK and Netherlands are set to be connected through a historic clean energy line that will help deliver clean energy and promote energy security. This power line will help support the countries’ net zero ambitions while also providing jobs and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Plans are underway to start production in Britain, and the power line should be operational by the early 2030s
Wind and Solar Power Break Records
The end of the fossil fuel era may just be upon us! As countries strive to reach their net-zero goals and companies are looking for new ways to be energy efficient, clean energy has become a crucial topic in the environmental space. In fact, a new report has found that wind and solar power broke energy records last year! While coal is still the number one source of energy, many experts believe we are entering a clean energy era as solar energy usage increased by 24 percent and wind energy by 17 percent in 2022 alone.
Research Shows Plastic Bag Bans Are Helping Our Waterways
As we all know, plastic tends to end up in our oceans and rivers, clogging them up or choking wildlife. Turns out, plastic bag bans are helping to keep our oceans and other waterways clean. Over 100 countries have a full or partial ban on plastic bags. This means that many stores and retailers are not permitted to use the lightweight plastic bags that are commonly found in grocery stores. Oftentimes, there is an option for consumers to purchase reusable bags, encouraging sustainability. Helping keep our oceans clean and wildlife safe is as easy as being mindful of our plastic use. Let’s keep up this amazing work and protect our waterways for generations to come!
Lake Tahoe’s Clear Blue Waters Have Been Restored
In 40 years, scientists have not seen Lake Tahoe’s water so clear, and it is all thanks to nature’s wonders! A sudden boom in the population of zooplankton has helped Lake Tahoe reach a level of clarity that hasn’t been seen in decades. Zooplankton are small creatures that consume tiny particles contributing to the lake’s clarity and cleanliness. While we owe a lot of thanks to the wonderful things that nature does, we still must help to keep our lakes and rivers clean! Planting trees is a great way to help clean air and water, and you can also help by reducing the amount of single-use plastic used in your household. Every little action helps!
Illinois Is Set to Build One of the Largest Solar Arrays in the US
With solar energy continuously on the rise, Illinois seems to be ahead of the curve! A 593-megawatt solar project has begun near Springfield, and once completed, it will help power O’Hare International Airport and many other government buildings in Chicago. This project will help many buildings and corporations meet their clean energy goals while also contributing to Chicago’s goal to use 100% clean energy by 2025. This is a major step in the right direction, and Illinois may just inspire other states to follow in their footsteps!
We hope you enjoyed reading April’s good news stories as much as we enjoyed featuring them! Remember, you can positively impact globally by planting trees where they are most needed.