The Top 5 Happy Eco News Stories for May 9, 2022

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Recycling, Upcycling, and Refurbishing – What’s the Difference

Guest Post by: Kylie Martin, Freelance Content Writer

The planet is in danger. Global warming has worsened in the last few decades because of our indiscriminate use of resources that otherwise have safer alternatives. Our collective and individual carbon footprint has caused the deterioration of the only viable home in this expansive universe. Thankfully, it’s not too late to do something about the problem.

For instance, collectively, we can all agree to support policies that put the planet first before everything else, especially capital and profit. Or, individually, we can choose to live more responsibly, actively lowering our carbon footprint one small decision at a time.

As for individual contributions, there are three options you can start with: recycling, upcycling, and refurbishing. Although related, these three concepts are not interchangeable…[read more].

Sponsored Post: Sustainable British Water Brand Heralds Green Partnership with Run for All

Water in a Box, the sustainable and responsible British boxed water brand, has announced its partnership with Jane Tomlinson’s Run for All to become the 2022 Official Finish Line Water Partner.

The deal will see 70,000 x 330ml Water in a Box spring water cartons distributed to runners at the finish line of 16 races across 2022, including the Sheffield Half Marathon, Leeds Half Marathon and Nottingham 10k.

Run For All is a series of runs that commemorate the lasting legacy of the late amateur athlete and fundraiser, Jane Tomlinson CBE. This is the first time that the event has partnered with a sustainable water brand in an effort to make the events eco-friendlier and more sustainable.

Water in a Box managing director David Grannell said: “This is a really exciting partnership and a step in the right direction towards reducing PET plastic water bottles at sporting events…[read more].

The Happy Eco News Weekly Top 5

1. Wind Power Surpasses Coal, Nuclear as Power Generation Source in US

Takeaways:

• On March 29, for the first time ever, wind power was the second-largest source of electricity in the US for a full day.
• Wind turbines in the Lower 48 states produced 2017 gigawatt hours of electricity that day.
• In 2021, wind power accounted for 42% of new energy installed in the US which amounted to more capacity added to the grid compared to any other energy source…[read more].

2. Thermophotovoltaic Cell Is 40% Efficient

Takeaways:

• Engineers at MIT and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have designed a a thermophotovoltaic cell which converts heat into electricity with over 40% efficiency.
• This design can generate electricity from a heat source of between 1,900 to 2,400 degrees C (4300 degrees F).
• This is a performance that exceeds the efficiency of traditional steam turbines…[read more].

3. Not Extinct After All: First ‘Widely Accepted Sighting’ of Ivory-Billed Woodpecker Since 1944

Takeaways:

• The ivory-billed woodpecker is the third largest woodpecker in the world and the largest north of Mexico.
• A research team from the National Aviary and Project Principalis has found evidence that at least three ivory-billed woodpeckers are living in the bottomland forests of the researchers’ study site in Louisiana.
•  The size and markings in the photos of the bird recorded by the researchers indicates that it was an ivorybill and not another type of woodpecker…[read more].

4. Vertical Farming Saves Water and Land and Could Help Global Food Security, Expert Says

Takeaways:

• Vertical farming is gaining more attention as a way to grow healthy food using artificial light.
• From 2008 to 2015, the price of LED lights has dropped by 94% which has helped growing operations move indoors.
• “Vertical farming has the potential to grow up to 100 layers of crops above one another on one hectare of land. This will conserve large areas of agricultural land” said Professor of Digital Agriculture at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) Senthold Asseng…[read more].

5. From Mumbai to Paris, the Cities Investing in the Planet

Takeaways:

• Local, city and regional governments are taking climate action and working towards reducing their impact.
• Paris, France has embodied the concept of the 15 minute city, taking efforts to reduce travel time and enable people to live and work locally.
• Copenhagen is on track to become the world’s first climate-neutral city as they are expected to reach net-zero emissions by 2025…[read more].

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