5 Pieces of Good Eco News from September
Posted on by Isabelle Brown
September brings so many positive vibes to the end of summer—Car-Free Day, Drive Electric Week, and back-to-school carpools reemerging. To finish off a month of positivity, let’s recap 5 good eco news stories from September!
The World’s First 100% Hydrogen-Powered Train Starts Running in Germany
Seeing the transportation industry move toward energy efficient and clean forms of transport is our cup of tea.
Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has launched the world’s first hydrogen train in Bremervörde, Lower Saxony, Germany. The Cordia iLint is a breakthrough in transportation, contributing to the greenest rail network globally. The regional train only emits steam and condensed water and is low-noise and entirely emission-free.
This innovation is set to be a “model for the rest of the world” and is absolutely a “milestone on the road to climate neutrality in the transport sector,” as said by President of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil.
Along with its hydrogen-run structure, the Coradia iLint features other breakthroughs:
- Clean energy conversion
- Flexible energy storage in batteries
- Intelligent management of motive power and available energy
- A maximum speed of 87 mph
With this scale of innovation, it is our hope that other parts of the world will not be far behind in evolving their transportation infrastructure to be cleaner and greener.
Innovative Paint Cools Down the School Playground By 12 Degrees: ‘I don’t feel like I’m in an oven’
If you’ve heard of the “urban heat island effect,” you probably picture it affecting neighborhoods, parking lots, and city streets. Land covered with pavement that absorbs and retains heat raises temperatures. This increases energy costs, air pollution levels, heat-related illnesses, and more. One place we don’t tend to connect to this phenomenon is schoolyards and playgrounds.
The SAE School in Mableton, Georgia had an asphalt playground that would hit 120°F on a 75°F day. This school was given an incredible makeover when the blacktop was covered with a solar-reflective paint that beats the heat for the kids.
This radiation-reflective paint has cooled the pavement and air temperatures by 12°F. While it’s still hot, it is a welcome relief for students and teachers alike.
Seeing success stories about radiation-reflective paint creates possibilities for this sort of innovation to be brought to big cities and communities heavily impacted by traffic congestion and the heat that comes from a high number of vehicles.
Mexico’s First Cross-County Hiking Trail Will Support Mayan Culture – Cyclists Welcome too
The first ever long-distance multi-use trail has recently been finished in the Yucatan Peninsula, and it will act as a community-focused tourist attraction to allow people to catch a glimpse of Mayan history.
The trail, Camino del Mayab, passes through landmarks and archeological sites, giving a 68-mile journey full of exploration of Mayan history, food, civilization, communities, and natural wonders.
This trail, combining community-centric spaces with cycling, hiking, and walking, aims to help better the lives of 14 communities of Mayan descendants that reside along it.
World’s Largest Container Line is Rerouting its Fleet to Avoid Collisions with Endangered Blue Whales
Protecting our oceans is so important, and major companies taking steps in a positive direction is always good news. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is a global leader in container shipping and logistics, and has re-routed its vessels to avoid entering the habitat of blue whales and other ocean mammals.
Their route, passing through the coast of Sri Lanka, has previously passed through waters where blue whales live and feed. Taking an impactful step in protecting ocean wildlife, MCS has adjusted its route to a new course approximately 15 nautical miles to the south.
According to Good News Network: “The decision was based on research surveys completed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), with the World Trade Institute (WTI), Biosphere Foundation, University of Ruhuna (Sri Lanka), and supported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).”
This route change has been simulated to show a reduction in the strike risk to blue whales by 95%.
This reroute isn’t the only change MSC has made in the name of wildlife conservation. They have also reduced vessel speeds and adapted shipping service networks to avoid other populations of ocean life.
A Global Push for More ‘15-Minute Cities’
Being a big believer in walkable communities, we are happy to see the idea of 15-minute cities coming to life in countries around the world. Imagine everything you need being no more than 15 minutes away? It creates so many opportunities for people to move around in ways other than driving alone.
An association known as the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group is composed of a network of about 100 global mayors. This group’s focus is climate change and sustainability, and they are partnering up with the Nordic Real Estate Partners (NREP) to bring the 15-minute city to a handful of locations globally.
The 15-minute city improves life in many ways, including:
- Making urban life less car-dependent
- Aiding in the fight against climate change
- Emphasizing green spaces and community
- Cutting carbon emissions by reducing vehicle use
- Making jobs, schools, and businesses more accessible to people without cars
- Prioritize pedestrian and bike infrastructure as well as public transit
NREP’s initial commitment of $500,000 will help C40 revamp existing neighborhoods and invest in new ones that create a multi-purpose community.
Spread the Good News
Have a piece of good news that brought you joy in the month of September? Share it with us on social media—Facebook, Linkedin, or Twitter!