2022 Environmental success stories!

Summary

In this video, we explore inspiring environmental success stories from 2022, highlighting initiatives such as a Finnish health experiment promoting greener lifestyles, Nestlé's eco-friendly packaging overhaul, and groundbreaking research on plants' climate adaptation. The video also covers significant progress at COP27, the rediscovery of a rare pigeon in Papua New Guinea, McDonald's reusable packaging trial, and the launch of the world's fastest electric ship in Stockholm. From saving forests to preserving coral reefs, the stories showcase how collective efforts can make a tangible impact in combating climate change and preserving nature.

Takeaways

• 😀 In Lahti, Finland, a group of residents tested a 'planetary health plan', resulting in improved health and reduced carbon emissions for participants.
• 😀 One participant who practiced mindfulness saw a 58% reduction in exhaustion levels.
• 😀 Another participant who incorporated more vegetarian foods into their diet and foraged for local food saw a 35% drop in their personal carbon footprint.
• 😀 Nestlé made a major move towards sustainability by changing the packaging of Quality Street chocolates, swapping colorful foil and plastic for recyclable waxed paper.
• 😀 New research on plant epigenetics revealed that plants can pass on climate adaptation to their offspring, which could help in combating climate change and droughts.
• 😀 Over 25 countries pledged to end deforestation by 2030 at COP27, with funding allocated to support this goal.
• 😀 Brazil’s new president, Luis de Silva, committed to reducing Amazon deforestation by 89% over the next decade.
• 😀 The Black Napped Pheasant Pigeon, thought to be extinct for 140 years, was rediscovered in Papua New Guinea, making it a monumental conservation success.
• 😀 Reusable McDonald's packaging went viral in November 2022, sparking interest in retro designs, with trials launched in France as part of a wider push to eliminate single-use packaging.
• 😀 The world's fastest electric ship, the Candela P-12, will set sail in Stockholm in 2023, significantly reducing environmental impacts while improving commuter time.
• 😀 A pristine coral reef was discovered in Tahiti, one of the largest ever found, and it appears unaffected by human activity, offering hope for marine conservation.

Q & A

What environmental initiative was tested in Lahti, Finland in 2022?

In Lahti, Finland, a group of residents tested a 'planetary health plan' to see if making greener choices could benefit their health. The experiment tracked participants' carbon emissions and health outcomes before and after the plan.

What health improvements were observed among participants in the Lahti experiment?

One participant who focused on mindfulness and recovery saw a 58% reduction in their exhaustion levels, while another who shifted to a diet with 40% more vegetarian foods and less dairy reduced their personal carbon footprint by 35%.

What significant change did Nestlé announce for its iconic sweets in 2022?

Nestlé announced that it would stop wrapping its UK's iconic Quality Street chocolates in colorful foil and plastic. Instead, the chocolates would be wrapped in recyclable waxed paper.

What discovery about plants and climate adaptation was made in 2022?

A study published in the 'Trends in Plant Science Journal' found that plants can pass on climate adaptation to their offspring through epigenetics. This allows plants to adapt to changing environmental conditions without altering their DNA sequence.

How is epigenetics different from genetic changes in plants?

Unlike genetic changes, which alter a DNA sequence, epigenetic changes affect how an organism reads a DNA sequence. These changes can help plants survive environmental stresses such as drought.

What is the significance of the new deforestation pledge announced at COP27?

At COP27, more than 25 countries, including Japan, Pakistan, and the UK, pledged to end deforestation by 2030. This commitment, which covers roughly 35% of the world's forests, is paired with additional funding to support the effort.

What was the breakthrough discovery related to the Black Napped Pheasant Pigeon in 2022?

After being presumed extinct for 140 years, the Black Napped Pheasant Pigeon was rediscovered in Papua New Guinea in September 2022, with new footage confirming its survival. The discovery was considered a major achievement in conservation.

What viral trend occurred with McDonald's packaging in November 2022?

In November 2022, images of reusable McDonald's packaging, including glasses and Happy Meal boxes, went viral. The packaging was part of a trial in France, aligning with broader efforts to reduce single-use plastic.

What new environmentally friendly transportation technology is set to debut in Stockholm in 2023?

The Candela P-12, the world's fastest electric ship, is set to begin operation in Stockholm in 2023. This 30-passenger flying ferry will be energy-efficient and minimize environmental impacts by reducing wave damage to shorelines.

Why is the discovery of a pristine coral reef in Tahiti significant?

The discovery of a pristine coral reef off the coast of Tahiti is significant because the reef is one of the largest ever found and is unaffected by human activity. Coral reefs, despite covering only 0.1% of the ocean floor, support a quarter of all marine life.