A round-up of this week’s environmental, green and ecofriendly news and updates.
Cherry blossoms are a welcome sign of Spring. They are so spectacular that people keep track of when the cherry trees bloom year after year.
In Kyoto, Japan, people have been doing just that for more than 1,000 years. The trees used to bloom like clockwork around April 17 each year — but now the average is April 6. Meanwhile, cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., tell a similar tale. Since records started in 1921, peak bloom has moved back 5 days.
Spring weather has become more erratic – and the blossoms are susceptible to cold snaps. This year, late spring frost killed off 50 percent of the blooms of one cherry variety in D.C.
You’re using plastic the wrong way!
Yes, I know, it’s difficult (if not impossible) to avoid plastic.
But there’s something you hadn’t thought about……find out here.
Have you heard about climate grief – anxiety, sadness, or depression about the changing climate?
It’s often difficult to get people to discuss climate change – but now it’s mentioned on one of the most talked-about podcasts of the year! S-Town is a seven-part Southern audio drama set in rural Alabama, where a murder is being investigated. The “hero” is a uniquely endearing and interesting man.
You can listen listen to it here if you wish. It was downloaded over 10 million times within a few hours of its release!
You’re going to love this Guest Post all about home decor – the organic way!
Welcome Spring in, and breathe freshness into your home.
Global Green News:
The ivory trade is the number one threat to elephants. But the good news is that the price of ivory has fallen significantly – in fact it’s less than half of what it was just three years ago, showing that demand is plummeting. This is due to tougher economic times, animal rights activism, and China’s commitment to shutting down its domestic ivory trade this year.
Beware though: this price drop may make souvenirs more tempting. But avoiding all items made from ivory is the only way to protect elephants from extinction. Don’t buy anything made from ivory!
US Green News:
In a magnificent case of irony, The Kentucky Coal Mining Museum, nestled in the heart of coal country, is switching to solar power. To save energy costs. The small town of Benham is a former coal camp. 85 percent of Harlan County (where Benham is located) voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 election, probably because he promised to bring back coal jobs. The coal mining museum will feed its excess power into the town’s grid, so many ex-miners will power their homes by solar.
Hooray! Plans for a new coal mine in Alaska have been abandoned after investors fell through. The strip mine would have destroyed 30 square miles of salmon river and forest. The livelihoods and traditional way of life of the Tyonek tribe had been threatened by the proposed project. Coal projects are stalling all over the US, thanks to cheap natural gas and the growth of renewables. There are now twice as many solar energy workers as coal industry workers in the United States. Good news on the dirtiest of all fossil fuels!
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