Positive News

The government of Bangladesh is set to enforce a ban on single-use plastics, the first step toward a complete phase-out of plastic products. This long-awaited initiative aims to protect the environment by reducing harmful plastic waste — around 87,000 tons a year — and will support this transition by promoting natural fibers and other biodegradable alternatives. 🚫🥤 Source: Mongabay

The rhino population in Assam, India, has surged fivefold since the 1960s, thanks to a crackdown on poaching, combined with increased habitat protection, enhanced ranger efforts, and comprehensive restoration initiatives in vital wildlife areas. 🦏 Source: The Economic Times

Green and loggerhead turtles are thriving on Cyprus' protected beaches, with the number of nests up 25% from last year. Decades of conservation efforts, including daily patrols and strict enforcement of fines up to €17,000 for disturbing the nests, have contributed to the record recovery. 🐢🇨🇾 Source: Euronews

More than 100 miles of California's central coast will soon become the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, covering over 4,500 square miles, This designation will create the third-largest marine sanctuary in the U.S. — a significant step in protecting culturally sacred areas while promoting environmental conservation. 🌊🦦 Source: EcoWatch

50 million trees are set to be planted in England by 2043! The Northern Forest initiative is a long-term rewilding project that restores tree cover to improve air quality, reduce flooding, and create green jobs. Since 2018, nearly eight million trees have been planted, with a record 1.9 million added last year alone in Northern England. 🌳 Source: BBC

Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo has revitalized its wetlands, transforming polluted areas into thriving ecosystems through community efforts and government initiatives, These wetlands now serve as biodiversity hubs, flood buffers, and green recreational spaces. 🦎 Source: BBC

Land titles have emerged as an essential tool in reducing deforestation in the Amazon, with Indigenous territories seeing a 66% drop in forest loss over three decades. And over the past year, 37 more land titles were granted in an expedited process through a collaboration between NGOs and the Peruvian government. 🏞️ Source: Mongabay

Finland's capital is building the world's largest heat pump, able to heat up to 30,000 homes. Powered vt renewable energy, this innovative project is expected to save 26,000 tonnes of CO2 annually by transitioning from fossil-fueled heating. 🇫🇮⚡️ Source: Interesting Engineering

The United Kingdom will close its last remaining coal-fired power plant this month, making it the first G7 nation to phase out coal. Coal's share in the UK's grid has plummeted from 80% in 1990 to just 1% last year, largely replaced by wind, solar, bioenergy, gas, and nuclear power. 🇬🇧⚡️ Source: Financial Times

The last four dams of the Klamath River have been removed, marking a historic victory for Tribal nations. Restoring the river to its natural state allows salmon to swim freely for the first time in over a century, honoring their deep cultural significance to the Yurok Tribe (known as the "salmon people") and setting the stage for ecological revival in the region. 🏞️ Source: CNN