I get it. When every news channel is talking about the bad news du jour it’s hard to really believe in a better tomorrow. The hard truth is that there will always be bad news one channel flip or scroll away. But that doesn’t mean that should be all you focus on in your life. As we collectively make bad environmental decisions over and over again (hello single use plastic!), scientists, environmental advocates, and everyday people just like us are out there making the change they want to see in the world.
Still skeptical about any real changes being made? Here’s a round up of positive environmental news to prove that not everything that’s happening in the world has to be doom and gloom… as of this writing, anyway!
Positive environmental news stories 2023
We May have a Microplastics Solution
After writing a few blogs on why microplastics are so bad for us and the environment, it looks like scientists are making way on finding a solution to combat this type of pollution. Craig Arnold, vice dean of innovation at Princeton, has found a way to utilize egg whites(!) to create an aerogel that is roughly 99% effective in capturing and removing microplastics from seawater. (via Science Daily)
EPA rallies to protect Alaska aquatic ecosystem
In an unusually bold move the EPA blocked the creations of a proposed copper and gold mine in Alaska. Their reasoning was the necessary preservation of the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery. The final verdict for this situation is still up in the air, but the EPA has made it clear they will continue to advocate for the protection of Bristol Bay’s ecosystem; where about half of the world’s sockeye salmon originate from. Positive environmental news from the EPA in this day and age? We’ll take it! (via PBS News Hour)
Finland makes Breakthrough in Vegan Solution to Meat
The Finnish government’s state-owned research institute center, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, has found a way to turn overlooked crops like fava beans and sorghum into a sustainable and scalable alternative to meat! Focused on addressing the issue of creating an appealing meat alternative, they’ve invented a technique that uses a combination of cellular agriculture and food design to take plant-based ingredients and create alternatives that mimic the texture and juiciness of real meat. (via VegNews)
St. Louis Stadium Pledges to Host a Zero-Waste Season
The CITYPARK stadium in St. Louis, MO will be eliminating single-use plastic products and replacing them with compostable utensils and reusable aluminum cups this sports season! Dedicated to creating a zero-waste stadium, they’ve partnered with multiple diverse organizations and initiatives. CITYPARK aims to donate and reduce food waste, implement renewable energy sources for power, and encourage fans to choose environmentally friendly transportation options like bikes and e-cars. (via SLC SC)
Boldy to Launch Vegan Seafood
In the wake of the success of companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Burgers, Boldy is the new kid on the block with a lofty mission: to launch a 100% vegan seafood line. Slated to start distribution this summer, their products will include plant-based salmon and tuna sashimi, calamari, shrimp, crab sticks, and white fish filets featuring konjac root. (via Vegconomist)
(And if you’re in Los Angeles and too impatient to wait for Boldy’s launch, check out Fysh Foods in WeHo!)
Looking for more positive environmental news? Check out our guide to where to find good news!
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