Good News: Issue 2
Solar power in Nunavut, air quality in Paris, Tiger comeback in India and more
I took this photo of magnolia blossoms last evening when I was walking my girls home from swimming lessons. I had brought my camera and macro lens with me, knowing we’d be out during golden hour. Now that spring is finally here, I don’t want to miss an opportunity to capture the fleeting beauty of these early blooms.
Macro photography invites me to slow down and look for beauty wherever I happen to be. In some places, beauty is everywhere around you; in others, you have to search for it. For me, living in a big city, finding beauty is often a deliberate act.
The same can be said for good news. We’re bombarded with bad news all the time, and finding the good can feel like mining for a diamond in a dumpster. My mission for the Greener Good is to do that work for you — to seek out and share the good news, the good ideas, and the good work being done. I want to remind you (and myself) that there is beauty and goodness in the world.
Here are some great good news stories from the past week. Take a break from the election coverage and enjoy!
Nunavut Community Switching to Solar Power
The Inuit hamlet of Naujaat is flipping the switch from diesel to solar. An array of 2,500 solar panels will power about 60% of the community, reduce diesel consumption by 30% and cut emissions by about 30,000 tonnes over the next 30 years. The project has also helped create local jobs. Residents look forward to turning off their noisy diesel generators — and experiencing the silence that their ancestors once did.
India’s Tiger Population Has Doubled Since 2010
According to a study published in the journal Science, India doubled its tiger population from 1,706 in 2010 to 3,682 in 2022. This population growth is a result of anti-poaching measures, habitat protection and restoration, and ensuring that tigers have access to prey. Improvements to living standards for tiger-adjacent communities have reduced human-wildlife conflict, lessened the incentive for poaching, and fostered a more positive attitude toward tiger conservation. Conservation efforts have in turn generated income for communities through eco-tourism.
Air Quality in Paris Has Dramatically Improved Since 2005
According to Airparif, an independent group that monitors air quality in Paris, levels of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) have dropped by 55 percent since 2005, and nitrogen dioxide has decreased by 50 percent. The cleaner air is thanks to policies and programs that reduce car traffic and phase out the most polluting vehicles. Over the last two decades, Paris has replaced car-centric streets with bike lanes and pedestrian zones, added green space, and eliminated more than 50,000 parking spots.
Scientists Engineer Climate-Resilient Potatoes
A team from the University of Illinois has engineered potato that’s more resilient to climate change. The super tuber not only survives extreme heat — it grows 30% larger. Katherine Meacham-Hensold led the research for RIPE, an international research project that aims to increase global food access by developing crops that photosynthesize more efficiently. This discovery could improve food security for people dependant on potatoes, which happen to grow in areas vulnerable to a warming climate.
All-Electric Ferry Service Planned Between Spain and Morocco
Spanish ferry company Armon is planning a completely electric ferry service between Spain and Morocco. Dubbed the “green corridor initiative,” the project will create the first zero-emission maritime route connecting Europe and Africa. The ships will produce no pollution and run entirely on battery power for the 18-mile journey across the Strait of Gibraltar. The project is planned for 2027.
Now get outside if you can, and seek out — or create — something beautiful wherever you happen to be.
Yours for the Greener Good,
Brett