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Good Environmental News for Earth Day 2023: 12 Ways That Nature Is Healing

From reducing pollution to helping endangered animals, we have a lot of work to do for our planet. Earth Day is a great time to take action. It's also a good time to see how far we've come.

Let's take a look at the progress we've made and other exciting sustainability news!

12 Signs of Environmental Progress in 2023

Celebrate Earth Day 2023 with uplifting environmental news. Here are some of the biggest eco news stories from the last year.

1. Renewable Energy Hits New Heights in Europe

The European Union (EU) has been working hard to use more renewable energy. Renewable energy comes from sources like the sun and wind. It's much more sustainable than limited fossil fuels.

In 2022, solar power use in the EU went up by almost 50%! That means they made enough energy from the sun to power 12.4 million houses. They also approved €28 billion for Germany's energy plans. Germany wants to increase wind and solar power. It hopes to get 80% of its power from renewable sources by 2030.

Germany is just one of many countries in the EU that broke energy records. Since March 2022, the majority of EU members have created record amounts of wind and solar power. Renewable energy made up 43% of its electricity. Fossil fuels hit just 36%.

Another big win comes from the auto sector. Countries across the pond will soon say goodbye to gas-powered cars and trucks. In 2035, the EU plans to ban them from being sold. These cars release harmful emissions. Vehicles make up 30% of the EU's total emissions. They also use a lot of oil, which is a fossil fuel. This ban should promote electrical cars powered by renewable energy.

2. The Ozone Layer is Healing

The ozone layer is a key part of climate change. This layer exists in Earth's atmosphere. It holds ozone gas in place to protect the planet. Ozone gas absorbs harmful rays from the sun. Over the years, certain chemicals have worn away at the layer. Examples of these chemicals can be found in hair spray and refrigerators.

The hole in the ozone is above the South Pole. It reached its largest size in 2006, spanning 27.5 million square kilometers. In fall of 2022, NASA measured the hole at 23.2 million square kilometers. This progress puts us on track to completely heal the ozone layer by 2066. Outside of Antarctica, it should heal even earlier.

We can mostly thank the Montreal Protocol for this change. All 198 countries in the United Nations signed this treaty in 1987. It got the countries to almost completely phase out certain harmful chemicals. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) claims that the Montreal Protocol protected millions of people from melanoma, other cancers and eye cataracts.

3. The European Commission Builds Safe Passage for Bees and Other Pollinators

Bees are like butterflies, flies and wasps — they are pollinators. They're responsible for about 80% of crops and flowering plants in the wild. Without pollinators, our entire food chain would be at risk. Unfortunately, they're disappearing. In January 2023, the European Commission announced a deal to help them.

The New Deal for Pollinators aims to reverse the insects' decline by 2030. It includes:

Those pathways are called ecological corridors. They let pollinators move safely through an area, like a city. For example, bees “hop” from one green space to the next to get across a city. These “buzz lines” could help pollinators thrive.

4. Robots Are Cleaning Up Argentina's Waterways

A team at La Plata National University built an exciting new robot. It is solar-powered and can scoop up waste in the water. It snags items like bags, bottles and tiny plastic pieces. It can even get floating hydrocarbons that come from oil, natural gas and goal.

These are some of the biggest pollutants in Argentina's water sources. They cause problems for everyone, especially wildlife. About 96% of green turtles at a local rescue center ingested plastics. Washed-up plastic also harms seagulls and seals.

Thankfully, this little robot can start chipping away at the problem. It will roam Argentina's waterways, including ports, rivers and lagoons.

5. Governments Fight Single-Use Plastic

Green tech is also motivated by replacing old technology. From gas-powered cars to traditional light bulbs, there are many examples of old technology that is not beneficial for the planet. New innovations look to replace the technology we use every day with something that will help lower impacts on the environment.

Boosting the Economy

The public is more aware of the dangers of plastic than ever. Single-use plastics are those you use once and throw away, like fast food packaging, bags and straws. They might be convenient, but they're dangerous to the planet. They don't break down in the environment, so they stay around for decades. Plastic bags trap ocean animals, while straws can get stuck in animals' bodies. They also put out a lot of harmful emissions when created.

Plastics never decompose. They just break into smaller and smaller pieces. They eventually turn into microplastics, which are everywhere. These tiny pieces of plastic can build up in the bodies of wildlife and humans. They can cause a range of problems, like hormone issues and cancer. Animals can also ingest them and get plastic in their digestive system.

Many different governments are tackling the problem by banning single-use plastics. They typically target the biggest users, like restaurants and supermarkets. Some areas that have banned single-use plastics include:

New laws about single-use plastic pop up often around the world. Keep an eye out for these helpful changes.

6. Barcelona's Bicibus Gets Kids to School

Biking to work or school offers great exercise and reduces car emissions. Unfortunately, it's not always safe or fun. Citizens in Barcelona have started a bike bus, or a “bicibus." It's a large group of students who bike to school together daily. Hundreds of kids take over the streets of the city. Kids love it, and they learn about sustainable transportation.

The bicibus now has 15 routes. It even inspired similar projects in Scotland and the United States.

7. Jonathan the Tortoise Reaches 190 Years Old

The oldest known land animal in the world has been around since the postage stamp was born. His name is Jonathan, a giant tortoise. He celebrated his 190th birthday in 2022. Experts estimate his birth year to be 1832, but he could be even older! He lived through the Civil War and Queen Victoria's reign. He's been around for many inventions, like the telephone and the photograph.

Jonathan's long life is a great reminder of how resilient our planet is and how important it is to preserve it.

9. A European Carbon Capture Plant Aims to Remove 1.5 Million Tonnes of CO2 Each Year

Carbon capture is gaining speed in the United Kingdom. Many industrial businesses create carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Reducing them is crucial to healing the ozone layer. One option is to “capture” the carbon and store it underground in rocks. Carbon capture usually happens at places that make a lot of CO2. You might see it at a power plant or an industrial plant.

Currently, only a few dozen of these plants exist worldwide. The UK approved its first one recently. The Keadby 3 Carbon Capture Power Station will snag up to 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually. That number is at least 5% of the UK's target for 2030.

10. London's Low-Pollution Zone Grows

Major cities often struggle with poor air quality. As cars and buses move, they release those harmful emissions we mentioned. Along with CO2, cars create nitrogen and particles. The particles include tiny drops of different materials like dirt and soot. Those drops can get into our lungs and cause health problems. Air pollution is linked to severe illnesses like cancer and lung disease. Thousands of Londoners experience early deaths from them each year. That's why the city created the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in 2017.

The ULEZ covers central London. If a car releases too many emissions, the owner must pay a daily fine to drive there. The city says four in five cars already meet the standards. In August 2023, the ULEZ will expand all of London, not just the inner city. The new coverage should help millions of Londoners breathe a little easier. Plus, all funds go toward the transit network, where they might even help create more bus routes.

11. The United States Passed Landmark Legislation

The U.S. Biden administration passed a big bill. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included a few major wins for the planet. It offers funding for many environmentally friendly projects. The deal made tax credits for companies that make electricity without emissions. Unlike other credits, these last for at least a decade and offer more long-term help. The deal also adds funds for:

The act adds a penalty fee for companies that leak too much methane. This funding should help the United States make big progress helping the planet.

12. Endangered Species Make Huge Comebacks in Europe

Many different animals became endangered or near extinct in Europe. Thanks to human efforts and protections, these animal populations are booming:

These creatures are a perfect example of how our efforts can turn things around.

Recycle Your Used Phone at an ecoATM Kiosk

2023 is shaping up to be a big year for sustainability. At ecoATM, we also hit some big milestones. We collect used electronics through trade-ins or recycling. Each device we take helps us fight e-waste. As of December 2022, we've collected over 37 million used electronics! The electricity saved could power 8,557 homes for a year. We also helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It's like taking 3,315 cars off the road each year.*

Do you have any used phones lying around? Are you considering an upgrade soon? Head to an ecoATM kiosk! We'll inspect your device and make a cash offer if possible. If we can't make an offer, we'll take it off your hands for responsible recycling or reuse. Price your device today, then find a kiosk near you!

*These estimated equivalents are based on total device collection results through 2022. Data generated with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT).