Good morning!

From scientific discoveries to activist wins, here are the latest news stories showcasing the people taking on climate change and nature loss.

📺 Airlines, SUVs, and Shell on the billboard blacklists

Cities and towns across Europe are banning adverts for SUVs, fossil fuels, and airlines, citing their incompatibility with the urgent need to cut emissions. One study previously found that by encouraging consumption, advertising enhances the carbon footprint of every person in the UK by 32%. The bans follow the same logic as those placed on tobacco and junk food advertising – the latter of which, enforced on the London tube system, was estimated to save the NHS £2m.

‘Should they promote the very companies that are undermining public safety, the insurability of their cities, and destroying public spaces through floods, fires and extreme weather events? Some cities have already answered this question with an emphatic “no”.’

🌳 Saving city trees

How do you revitalise trees that are suffering under concrete? Enter the Stockholm tree pit method, which involves digging a pit around these flagging city trees, and filling it with a mixture of soil, stone, and biochar to help the trees breathe. With this method, trees can thrive even in urban environments, meaning cities can play an important role in tackling climate change.

🦋 Shifting to ecological empathy

Ecological empathy is a concept with Indigenous roots that can help Western societies connect with nature. For example, wildlife crossings that help animals avoid dangerous roads illustrate ecological empathy by designing with the creatures’ perspectives in mind. By integrating this concept in our day-to-day lives, we can create more equitable and sustainable relationships with the ‘more-than-human world’.

Know someone who could use some good news? Share The Green Light.