Good News Notes: “Each year, 8 million tons of plastic— the equivalent of a garbage truck load every minute — is dumped into the ocean, according to the World Economic Forum. The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit engineering environmental organization based in the Netherlands, is attempting to remove as much of that plastic as is feasible. “Our strategy…
Boston University to Divest from Fossil Fuel Industry
Good News Notes: “Boston University will divest from fossil fuels, starting immediately, President Robert A. Brown announced on Thursday, a decision reached amid increasing proof that burning fossil fuels is accelerating the harmful effects of climate change—and after nearly a decade of campus activism and protests. “This has been a long journey within the BU…
Microsoft made a wireless mouse out of recycled ocean plastic
Good News Notes: “Alongside a fresh lineup of Surface systems, Microsoft announced a new mouse at its fall hardware event. The name gives away the reason why it’s interesting. It’s called the Microsoft Ocean Plastic Mouse. The shell is made with 20 percent recycled ocean plastic, which is created from waste that has been recovered from oceans and waterways…
Air New Zealand goes greener with new eco-serviceware
Good News Notes: “Air New Zealand is going greener with new eco-serviceware for its international economy cabin in a new trial to reduce plastic and carbon emissions. Air New Zealand recently tested two different casserole dish materials, bagasse, and rotatable plastic, along with a birchwood cutlery alternative on four of its Rarotonga flights. The move…
Freshly Just Launched Plant-Based Meals, And They’re A Dream Come True For Vegans And Vegetarians
Good News Notes: “Plant-based meals are a popular option for those looking to improve their health, reduce their carbon footprint and add more fruits and vegetables to their diet. But getting access to plant-based meals is not always easy unless you’re prepping it in your own kitchen. Lately though, there’s been a rise in meal delivery…
‘Everyday Counts Campaign’ aims to get 349 kids in foster care adopted by November
Good News Notes: “The Division of Children and Family Services and Project Zero are in the midst of their three month long “Everyday Counts Campaign” and they have a lofty goal they hope to achieve. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of kids in foster care has only gone up in the past 18-months, and for the next…
McDonald’s To Phase Out Plastic Toys From Its Happy Meals
Good News Notes: “The toys that come in McDonald’s Happy Meals will soon be made mostly from corn and other materials rather than from fossil fuel-based plastic, the fast-food chain says. The switch is already underway in some international markets; it’s expected to be complete globally by 2025. “Making our toys out of renewable, recycled,…
Texas Humane Heroes announces Pet Adoptions on Wheels mobile adoption unit
Good News Notes: “A new mobile adoption unit by the Texas Humane Heroes Adoption Center is coming to a location near you soon, the agency announced Wednesday. It’s called P.A.W (Pet Adoptions on Wheels) and it will travel to various locations throughout Central Texas with 20+ cats and dogs who are looking to find a…
NIGERIA: Kano State launches a one million tree reforestation campaign
Good News Notes: “The government of Kano, a state in northern Nigeria, is committed to planting one million trees. The reforestation campaign aims to halt the advance of the desert in a region marked by temperatures of up to 440c. Desertification has reached alert levels in Nigeria. The West African country is experiencing land degradation…
Researchers Discover That Reforestation Cools the Planet More Than We Thought
Good News Notes: “Reforestation is an important strategy to combat climate change. Research has shown forests can store the huge amounts of the carbon that is driving global temperatures. Forests also promote biodiversity and support wildlife. Recent research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences even shows that reforestation encourages cloud cover, which in turn…