40 Positive Environmental Success Stories — February 2025
The media has an important role to play in combatting climate doom. Therefore, this monthly news round up of positive environmental and climate change news, is designed to spark joy and show that progress is being made. We pick two positive headlines a day, ranging from renewable energy and preservation to eco-innovation, and arrange the articles according to their publication date. We also include some dates related to nature and wildlife for your calendar.
Environmental and Animal Awareness Days In The Next Month
World Wildlife Day (3rd March) celebrates and educates people about the world's wild animals and plants.
Global Recycling Day (18th March) recognises and celebrates the importance that recycling plays.
Earth Hour (22nd March) encourages people, communities, and businesses to turn off unnecessary lights for one hour on the last Saturday in March.
Positive News Round up — Monday, 3rd February
The country's tiger population doubled in a decade, according to a study. Keeping big cats safe from poaching and losing their habitat, making sure they have enough food, reducing conflicts between humans and animals, and making communities near tigers better. (Euro News)
Research has found listening to birds is a good indicator to see if mangrove restoration is working. (Mongabay)
Positive News Round up — Tuesday, 4th February
Over 500 endangered loggerhead turtles have nested at Mon Repos beach, rangers say it is the biggest influx since the 1970s. (ABC News)
The discovery of rare mussels, which are sensitive to pollution and thought to be on the verge of extinction in France, has raised hopes that efforts to clean up the Seine in Paris might be succeeding. (The Guardian)
Positive News Round up — Wednesday, 5th February
The Natural History Museum's people's choice award for wildlife photographer of the year has been won by a badger captured glancing up at a graffiti version of itself. (The Guardian)
Handcrafted woodwork helps save an Amazonian reserve, one tree at a time. (Mongabay)
Positive News Round up — Thursday, 6th February
The humpback whale song has a similar structure to human speech, with shorter sounds being used more often than more complex ones. This makes it easier for infants to learn how to communicate with their elders in both species. (The Guardian)
The National Energy Commission said that Chile added 2.14 GW of new solar in 2024, bringing its total installed PV capacity to 10.5 GW by year-end. (PV Magazine)
Positive News Round up — Friday, 7th February
The cumulative installed solar capacity in India has reached 100.33 gigawatts, marking a significant milestone in the country's goal for 500 gigawatts of non-renewable energy by 2030. (PV Magazine)
A study found that Bradford's clean air zone reduced air pollution and saved the health service about £30,000 a month in its first year. (The Guardian)
Positive News Round up — Monday, 10th February
In the first month of 2025, Australia had 234 MW of new rooftop solar installed, up 6% from last year. (PV Magazine)
Last year, more solar panels and batteries were added to Texas' grid than any other power source. (Inside Climate News)
Positive News Round up — Tuesday, 11th February
A new restaurant in the UK has become the first-ever vegan eatery to be awarded a Michelin star. (Plant Based News)
The largest electric utility in Illinois is spending $100 million to encourage electric vehicle adoption. (Canary Media)
Positive News Round up — Wednesday, 12th February
The rate of deforestation in Colombia last year was among the lowest in 23 years. (Good News Network)
A study has found that many birds of paradise species emit light through their plumage. (The Guardian)
Positive News Round up — Thursday, 13th February
Boots is adding recycling points for plastic blister packs, commonly used to hose medication and vitamins, to more than 800 UK stores. (Edie)
A report has found that solar panels could cut energy bills by a quarter for poor households. (The Guardian)
Positive News Round up — Friday, 14th February
The Slovenian firm Ngen has switched on what it claims to be the Austria's largest battery storage facility. (PV Magazine)
An immigrant from Ivory who immigrated to Arizona has developed a refillable skincare dispenser that is fully compostable and made from sugarcane and bamboo pulp. (Good News Network)
Positive News Round up — Monday, 17th February
Wolves have been absent from the Scottish Highlands for more than two centuries, and during their absence, the population of red deer has multiplied. Researchers say that returning wolves to the Highlands would keep deer in check and allow large areas of native woodland to grow back. (Yale E360)
The conservation community working to protect one of the most threatened wolf subspecies has been inspired by a litter of eight pups in one of India's few wildlife reserves for gray wolves. (Good News Network)
Positive News Round up — Tuesday, 18th February
According to researchers, an improvement in freshwater biodiversity in England's rivers was linked to a reduction in pollution of zinc and copper, largely due to the decline in coal burning and heavy industry. (Phys)
In 2023, over 50,000 pounds (22.68 tons) of rubbish were removed from the Arctic after a multilateral effort flooded critical northern ecosystems with volunteers. (Good News Network)
Positive News Round up — Wednesday, 19th February
Two NSW hospitals have implemented measures to reduce the use of disposable gloves by identifying when handwashing provides adequate protection. (ABC News)
Scientists have developed and verified a DNA test kit to aid in the detection of the Yangtze softshell turtle, a species that is in danger of extinction. (Mongabay)
Positive News Round up — Thursday, 20th February
According to the International Energy Agency's Electricity 2025 report, solar generation is forecast to meet half of the growth in global electricity demand through to 2027. (PV Magazine)
A new heat pump brings comfort and savings for one Minnesotan. (Canary Media)
Positive News Round up — Friday, 21st February
Screwfix and Sainsbury’s are both investing in innovative ways to decarbonise their transport fleet. (Edie)
A new project has been launched by Emirates to transform retired aircraft materials into schoolbags for children across Africa. (Edie)
Positive News Round up — Monday, 24th February
Some of the most dangerous reproductive system effects of exposure to microplastics, such as decreased fertility, could be counteracted by antioxidants that give fruits and flowers their vibrant colours. (The Guardian)
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in Israel intends to introduce a total of 100,000 solar rooftop arrays by the end of the decade. (PV Magazine)
Positive News Round up — Tuesday, 25th February
Two solar and storage projects in development near Wrexham, North Wales, will supply power to a nearby sewage treatment works. (PV Magazine)
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault has added seeds from 19 African trees. (Mongabay)
Positive News Round up — Wednesday, 26th February
By reducing emissions by 87% by 2040, British households will save £1,400. (The Guardian)
Nature-based solutions for climate adaptation can enhance Kenyan farmers' security, reduce conflicts and mitigate wildlife retaliatory actions, according to a study. (Mongabay)
Positive News Round up — Thursday, 27th February
To reduce the number of birds that die after landing on offshore windfarms, black paint is being applied to them. (The Guardian)
The University of Sussex will offer the first undergraduate degree in the UK that focuses on climate justice. (The Guardian)
Positive News Round up — Friday, 28th February
The first time in centuries, beavers will be allowed to be released into English waterways. (The Guardian)
With the help of some bookbinding glue, a rare lichen has been reintroduced to its historic habitat of East Anglia. (The Guardian)
