Good News #30
Polar bear research from an EV, coastal cleanup in Karnataka, balcony solar in Germany, climate change education in the EU, and composting in eastern France
Here’s your weekly roundup of environmental good news stories from around the world. Enjoy, and have a great weekend!
Polar bear researchers working from an EV
Polar bear research in Churchill, Manitoba is now being carried out in the Tundra Buggy One: a battery-powered, zero emissions vehicle designed for harsh northern conditions. It’s equipped with energy-efficient features, a state-of-the-art media studio, and comfortable researcher accommodations. With its Polar Bear Live Cams, anyone can witness polar bears gathering around Hudson Bay, waiting for the Bay to freeze. Most importantly, the Tundra Buggy One — which replaces a diesel-powered version — maneuvers silently without disturbing the bears, and ensures that researchers are not adding to the climate crisis — which is the greatest threat that polar bears face.
Karnataka launching huge coastal cleanup project
The Karnataka state government, working with the World Bank, is preparing to launch a major new initiative called “K-Shore” (Karnataka Strengthening Coastal Resilience and Economy) at the end of November 2025. With a budget of ₹840 crore (about US$100 million), this five-year program aims to tackle marine plastic pollution and strengthen the resilience of Karnataka’s coastline. K-Shore will be run by the newly-formed Karnataka Eco Restoration Society (KERS) and involve several government departments, including forests, fisheries, rural development & panchayat raj, and municipal administration. The program will focus on improving waste management, restoring coastal ecosystems like mangroves and dunes, installing plastic traps in rivers, protecting marine environments, and creating sustainable job opportunities for people living in coastal communities.
Over a million Germans using balcony solar
Germany has now surpassed one million “Balkonkraftwerke,” the small plug-and-play balcony solar systems that allow renters and apartment dwellers to generate their own clean energy simply by plugging solar panels into a wall outlet. New policies make it much easier for tenants to install these systems without landlords stopping them, helping drive rapid adoption. Affordable, easy to set up, and capable of producing up to 760 kWh per year, the devices are cutting household emissions and saving people money on electricity bills. The surge is also boosting demand for small home batteries, allowing users to store their solar power for later use.
EU adding climate change education to curriculum
The European Union has made climate education a key part of its schools, starting from kindergarten up to grade 12, as part of its 2025 climate plan under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Environmental educators and groups like earthday.org praised this decision, calling it a big step forward. It will help students develop green skills and fight climate misinformation, while showing the world that teaching young people is essential for tackling climate change.
Town in Eastern France is a composting champion
Greater Besançon, in eastern France, has become a national leader in composting food‑waste. The town has cutting its organic waste by over 40% through a mix of smart policy, infrastructure, and community engagement. The city runs drop-off points where residents can bring kitchen scraps, which are collected by electric-bike and transported to a nearby farm to be turned into compost. Besançon also has “compost chalets,” shared containers managed by municipal agents, and a “pay-as-you-throw” garbage fee that incentivizes waste reduction. Thanks to the program, around 80% of residents have access to composting. In 2024, household waste fell from about 227 kg per person in 2008 to 132 kg.