The Top 5 Happy Eco News Stories for May 30, 2022

Happy Eco News also now accepts donations via PayPal. You can choose any amount you like, one-time or recurring, with any payment method you prefer.

Thank you for your support and for taking action.

Happy Reading!

Trash Talk 

Guest Post by: Sharon Michelle, MSc Psychology

With all that’s in the news this month, I have struggled to feel positive. Everything was getting on top of me until recognised and dealt with an issue that’s been particularly bothering which I’ve ignored and left to fester:

The expanding mountain of rubbish – litter  – trash

I knew I was going to be irritated when I walked my dog in the park last week. It was a bank holiday weekend and the weather had been lovely. I expected the masses had enjoyed the sunshine in the beautiful outdoors, relaxing and experiencing the wonderful rejuvenating effects of nature. I’m all for that.

However, as expected, I walked through the park and found the evidence of those people having been there. The crisp packets, the sandwich wrappers, the drink bottles, poo in dog bags left by the bushes (why do that – if no-one is watching it is still not ok!) and plastic bags now living amongst the leaves, snagged in branches of the trees…[read more].

The Happy Eco News Weekly Top 5

1. Two Students Made Compostable Water Filters From Food Waste

Takeaways:

• Two students from Pratt Institute have created Strøm, a compostable water filter made from food waste.
• The filters use activated charcoal which is sourced from natural biochar and is then mixed with natural resins.
• The filters can be used as substitutes for Brita filters and reduce the need for single-use plastic filters…[read more].

2. Germany Announces New Plan to ‘Turbocharge’ Transition to Renewable Energy

Takeaways:

• Germany has announced its plan to get at least 80 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.
• The plan includes increasing land-based wind power by 10 gigawatts a year and increasing solar by 22 gigawatts a year.
• The country wants to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2035…[read more].

3. A Massive Solar Power Farm Will Be Built in California Desert

Takeaways:

• A major solar energy project, the Crimson Solar Project will be built in the Californian desert.
• Once completed, it will have the capacity to power 87 500 homes in the area.
• “Projects like this can help to make America a global leader in the clean energy economy through the acceleration of responsible renewable energy development on public lands,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland…[read more].

4. No More Russian Oil: How Europe Could Cut 35% Of Its Transport Oil Demand

Takeaways:

• The UK and the European Union have announced plans to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of 2022.
• Almost all of Europe’s demand for Russian oil can be eliminated by 2025 by saving fuel and switching to electric vehicles.
• By 2030 EU oil demand could be fully 35% lower than in 2019…[read more].

5. Everybody Clap! Endangered Seal Species Hits Comeback Milestone

Takeaways:

• The population of Hawaiian monk seals, found only in Hawaii, has surpassed 1500 seals.
• This is higher than their number has been in over 20 years.
• “If we have healthy monk seals, we know that the ecosystem that is supporting those animals is healthy and thriving,”  said Michelle Barbieri the lead scientist with the NOAA’s monk seal research program…[read more].

If you enjoy Happy Eco News, please share this email with friends and family. You can follow, like our posts, and share us on social media too. It all helps. You can also find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.