Good News: Issue 8
From soccer jerseys made of algae to hydrogen homes, here are the weeks's environmental good news stories
Friends, I hope you’re having a great week. I have been a busy! I’m finally getting caught up after a week of school plays, getting the kids ready for sleepover camp, working on my native plant garden, and volunteering for my daughter’s field trip yesterday. So without further adieu, here are my favourite good news stories for the week.
Spanish soccer uniforms made of algae
Spanish soccer club Real Betis is unveiling new jerseys made from invasive algae. The algae, Rugulopteryx okamurae, wreaks havoc along the Mediterranean coastline—but researchers have figured out how to transform it into fabric. The algae are harvested, dried, and processed to extract cellulose, the plant-based material that forms the basis of many natural fibers. That cellulose is then converted into a biodegradable textile that’s breathable, durable, and significantly more eco-friendly than conventional fabrics. The process creates less waste and emissions than synthetic textile production and uses 90% less water than cotton. The final jersey also incorporates recycled plastic recovered from oceans.
Australian researchers have detected endangered grassland bird
For the first time in more than 30 years, the Plains wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus), an endangered ground-dwelling bird, has been detected in two grassland areas west of Melbourne. Researchers from Zoos Victoria deployed 35 audio recorders paired with AI, which sifted through thousands of hours of recordings and successfully detected the female’s distinctive calls.
This tiny, ground-dwelling bird is the only member of its family, and there are fewer than 1,000 individuals left. Because the species depends on short, sparse grasslands, it is vulnerable to habitat loss from agriculture and predation by foxes and cats. The discovery in previously unknown locations offers fresh hope: scientists are now planning targeted habitat restoration, genetic research, captive breeding, and landowner partnerships to safeguard and potentially boost the wild population.
Scotland piloting hydrogen-powered homes
Scotland will soon be home to the first 100% green hydrogen gas network. The H100 Fife project will bring hydrogen into 300 homes in Buckhaven and Denbeath by the fall of 2025. Existing gas lines are being retrofitted to deliver hydrogen, which will replace gas for heating and cooking. 83% of homes in Britain that currently use natural gas appliances, and heating accounts for about 37% of all UK carbon emissions. By switching to hydrogen, this project is projected to save over 634 tonnes of CO2 per year. Residents will be given free hydrogen boilers and appliances, as well as £1000 for taking part in the fight against climate change.
UK plans to extend ban on bottom trawling
The UK government has announced a plant to extend a ban on destructive bottom trawling to 41 marine protected areas. The plan, which will be subject to a consultation with those in the marine and fisheries sector, would ban bottom trawling across about 30,000 square km of English seas. If enacted alongside existing protections, some 48,000 square kilometres of England’s waters could be off-limits to this damaging fishing method.
Green campus in India
On World Environment Day, IIM Nagpur unveiled a multifaceted green campus plan: a 2 MW solar installation for self-sufficient energy, rainwater harvesting, passive building cooling, wastewater recycling systems, and native landscaping. They also planted trees and partnered with HP Enterprise to monitor sustainability efforts.
Yours for the Greener Good,
Brett