good news
London's low-emission zone got kids out of cars and onto their feet
A year after London's clean air zone was enforced, 40% of children began walking or biking to school instead of being driven, according to new research.
In short:
- A study found that 40% of kids in London's ultra-low emissions zone switched from car rides to walking or biking within a year of the policy's start.
- In contrast, only 20% of children in the control group city, Luton, made the same switch, with an equal number starting to drive.
- Researchers say this shift could combat childhood obesity and improve both mental and physical health.
Key quote:
"Physical activity in general is vital for preventing obesity... and has benefits for children’s physical development and mental health.”
— Christina Xiao, epidemiologist at Cambridge University
Why this matters:
Research shows that penalizing driving—rather than just building bike lanes or walking paths—is often more effective at getting people out of their cars. And whether it's through incentives or penalties, the takeaway is clear: what’s good for the planet is often what’s best for the kids too. Read more: Another road is possible.
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Louisville uses trees to tackle urban heat and health disparities
A decade after Louisville became the fastest-growing urban heat island in the US, a groundbreaking study shows that planting trees in underserved areas leads to health improvements by lowering inflammation rates among residents.
In short:
- Louisville earned a $12.6 million federal grant to plant trees in low-income neighborhoods, reducing extreme heat and air pollution.
- The Green Heart Louisville study revealed a 13-20% reduction in inflammation markers among residents, reducing heart disease risks.
- The project pioneers using mature trees and data-driven planting to target areas most affected by air pollution.
Key quote:
“There is nowhere you can put a tree where it doesn’t improve the situation in terms of cooling and air quality.”
— Brian Stone, director of the Urban Climate Lab at Georgia Tech University
Why this matters:
The results are part of a growing body of research that suggests urban trees are more than just a way to beautify a neighborhood. They may be a prescription for better health, especially in marginalized communities facing higher pollution levels and rising temperatures. Read more: Trees, science and the goodness of green space.
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Ecuador’s forest win sets global precedent for nature’s legal rights
The Los Cedros forest in Ecuador’s Andes has become a global symbol of how granting nature legal rights can protect biodiversity from industrial threats like mining.
In short:
- The Los Cedros forest, one of the world’s most biodiverse places, was saved from mining by a landmark court ruling that recognized nature’s legal rights.
- The ruling builds on Ecuador’s 2008 constitution, which grants nature rights, setting a precedent for protecting ecosystems worldwide.
- Challenges remain in implementing these protections, with concerns about illegal activities and nearby industrial threats.
Key quote:
“There was no case before this, there was no precedent. It was a case of science winning over extractive industries.”
— Josef DeCoux, conservationist
Why this matters:
This ruling is part of a global movement to give legal rights to nature, offering new tools to protect ecosystems essential to human health and survival, especially in the face of biodiversity loss and climate change. Read more: Could the Ohio River have rights? A movement to grant rights to the environment tests the power of local control.
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The Ashaninka’s cultural revival is reshaping the Amazon region
The Ashaninka tribe, once displaced by deforestation and cattle farming, has restored its territory and is now leading efforts to expand its land management strategies across 12 Indigenous territories in the Amazon.
Fabiano Maisonnave and Jorge Saenz report for the Associated Press.
In short:
- The Ashaninka people are using their successful reforestation and self-sufficiency model to help 12 Indigenous territories across 1.6 million acres of Amazon rainforest.
- Supported by $6.8 million from the Amazon Fund, their efforts focus on food production, cultural preservation and forest surveillance.
- The project emphasizes working with neighboring Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to create regional cooperation for forest protection.
Key quote:
“The culprits for this live far from us. But if we start pointing fingers, we’ll waste a lot of energy and solve nothing. Instead, we’re focusing on adaptation.”
— Francisco Piyãko, OPIRJ leader
Why this matters:
As deforestation drives climate change, the Ashaninka are showing the world that preserving biodiversity isn’t just possible—it’s essential. This effort isn't only about the trees; it's about cultural survival, feeding their people and using their deep connection to the land to ensure its future. Read more: The planet’s largest ecosystems could collapse faster than we thought.
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Fire's ancient practice returns to help Nebraska’s wildlife thrive
Conservationists in Nebraska are reviving the ancient practice of controlled burns to restore vital habitats for sandhill cranes and other species.
In short:
- Controlled burns clear away overgrowth, benefiting birds like sandhill cranes by creating open areas for feeding and nesting.
- These fires mimic natural and Indigenous land management practices, which are key to maintaining grasslands and promoting biodiversity.
- Species such as bears, prairie chickens and even pollinators like bees benefit from the new growth that follows controlled burns.
Key quote:
"The best way we can make sure that the grasslands stay grasslands, is by making sure that we're using tools to keep it in that habitat — tools like prescribed fires."
— Amanda Hefner, education manager, Rowe Sanctuary
Why this matters:
In Nebraska, the practice of prescribed burning is breathing new life into local species, from the cranes that rely on open spaces to the bears that find renewed food sources in berry bushes. This ancient practice could be one of the best ways to combat the wildfire risks and biodiversity loss we face today. Read more: Hands on the land, heart in community: Returning cultural fires.
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Motionless turbines could reduce wind energy’s noise and wildlife impact
A new “motionless” wind energy system, quieter and safer for birds, has been installed on the roof of BMW’s MINI plant in Oxford, offering a scalable, renewable energy solution.
In short:
- A U.S. company, Aeromine, has developed a “motionless” wind turbine system that reduces noise and wildlife risks.
- The system works alongside rooftop solar panels to maximize energy output, particularly in low-solar conditions like evenings or winter.
- Funding for the project comes from BMW’s Startup Garage, which acts as a customer to drive innovation.
Key quote:
“Our ‘motionless’ wind energy technology is designed to work seamlessly alongside solar systems, maximizing the renewable energy output from rooftops.”
— Claus Lønborg, managing director at Aeromine
Why this matters:
With Europe already ahead of the curve in renewable adoption, if these prototypes prove effective, we could see them on rooftops across the continent, fitting in snugly where traditional turbines struggle .Read more: In the race for clean energy, the US is both a leader and a laggard — here’s how.
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Solar farms provide more than clean energy by supporting pollinators
As solar farms expand, some developers are using the land beneath panels to nurture pollinator habitats, but the success of these efforts varies widely.
In short:
- Solar farms can combat both climate change and biodiversity loss by providing habitats for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Standards for pollinator-friendly solar farms are inconsistent, with accusations of greenwashing in cases where habitat efforts are minimal.
- Studies show that well-designed solar farms can significantly increase insect populations, but many projects fall short of their ecological potential.
Key quote:
“It’s not fair if some people are truly stepping up to do this right and another company is barely doing anything and saying they’re pollinator friendly."
— Scott Black, executive director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Why this matters:
Despite the promise, these nature-friendly setups are still the exception rather than the rule. If scaled up, we could start to see solar farms not just as green energy producers but as critical players in reversing habitat loss. Read more: We must adapt to climate change. Can we do it in ways that solve other problems too?
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