Good News: Issue 6
From protecting sperm whales to making fabric out of kombucha, this week is full of some amazing stories to lift you up
This has been a busy week. Over the weekend, I decided to finally tear up the grass in my front yard so I can create a bird and pollinator oasis with native plants. With the help of my husband and kids, the grass is almost gone, and I just need to finish a rock terrace before I can put plants in the ground.
It’s been hard work. But I love being outdoors, getting my hands dirty, and working out long-neglected muscles. Best of all, I’ve been chatting with lots of neighbours — some of whom have offered me plants. My friends across the street even pitched in to help shovel!
While I started with project with the goal of beautifying and naturalizing my yard, I’ve enjoyed so many unintended benefits — and it’s not even finished.
That is just my little good news story. Now, on to some bigger and more impressive news from around the world.
Royal Canadian Mint May Turn Trash into Treasure
The Royal Canadian Mint is exploring a partnership with Enim Technologies Inc., a Montreal-based recycling company, to source precious metals from discarded electronics. This initiative aims to address the growing environmental crisis of e-waste. In 2022, people worldwide threw away 137 billion pounds of electronic devices, and only 22% was properly recycled. The rest ended up in landfill or was incinerated, wasting an estimated $62 billion worth of valuable metals.
Urban mining offers a sustainable alternative to traditional mining, which often causes significant environmental damage. The process requires 80% less energy and reduces carbon emissions by up to 70%. Several countries have already embraced urban mining for currency production, proving its commercial viability.
Dominica Establishing a Marine Protected Area To Protect Sperm Whales
Dominica is set to establish the world's first Marine Protected Area (MPA) dedicated to safeguarding endangered sperm whales. The MPA will cover approximately 300 square miles of the island's western waterways. The government will prioritize sustainable artisanal fishing within the reserve, implement measures to reduce deadly collisions between ships and whales. This groundbreaking conservation effort has received global recognition, highlighting Dominica's commitment to preserving marine life and promoting environmental sustainability.
The River Loddon in Hampshire Has Been Granted Legal Rights
The River Loddon in Hampshire has been granted legal rights, including the right to be free of pollution. The iconic river has inspired poets like Alexander Pope and Thomas Warton; however, like many other English waterways, has become polluted. This landmark decision means that technically, the Loddon can sue for its rights.
Love Kombucha? You Could Soon Be Wearing It
Scientists have discovered how to convert kombucha into textiles. The innovative process begins with kombucha, a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast. As kombucha is being fermented, it produces a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast called SCOBY. When researchers fed SCOBY a mixture of sugar and caffeine-containing beverages, it produced a dense mat of bacterial cellulose — which can be turned into fabric. Bacterial cellulose is about ten times as strong as cotton and boasts exceptional purity and absorption. Best of all, it’s non-toxic, biodegradable, and can be made with renewable resources and zero waste.
Court Ruling Upholds Legal Protections for Marine Protected Areas
The General Court of the European Union has rejected a legal challenge brought by German fishing group VDK, which sought to overturn regulations prohibiting harmful fishing practices in parts of the North Sea. The regulations were introduced by the European Commission in 2022 after Germany and the Netherlands applied for an amendment to a 2017 regulation, asking for stronger protections in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The ruling upholds the authority of member states to protect MPAs from destructive fishing methods like bottom trawling.
I Hope you have a chance to get outside, enjoy the weather, and connect with your community like I have.
Yours for the Greener Good,
Brett