This week’s good climate news

With so much still to do to slow warming and avoid the worst impacts of climate change, it’s important to fortify ourselves by celebrating wins along the way.

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A computer generated image of a row of electric trucks

NC cruising toward zero-emission trucks

North Carolina is taking crucial action on zero-emission truck and bus adoption with a new order from Governor Roy Cooper, positioning the state to reap billions in benefits.

The order will require manufacturers to make an increasing percentage of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The pace of that increase will be set in May, with the ultimate goal of getting to 100% by 2050.

A bison calf standing near some adult bison

First wild-born Bison in UK in 6,000 years (yes, you read that correctly)

For the first time in over 6,000 years, a wild bison was born in the U.K.! Because of their size and behaviors, bison serve as ecosystem engineers, meaning they possess the unique ability to reverse negative environmental trends.

Experts believe the calf’s birth will be instrumental in growing the reintroduced bison population.

Children getting on a yellow school bus

The big yellow school bus goes electric

Roughly 25 million kids take the school bus every day, and a new federal program will better protect children’s health, reduce air pollution near schools and slash greenhouse gas emissions. About 400 school districts in the U.S. will receive $1 billion in grants to purchase 2,500 clean, mostly electric school buses. 

The top priorities for these new buses will be school districts serving low-income, rural or tribal students.

Columns and archways in a collegiate space

100 UK universities pledge fossil fuel divestment

In 2014, the University of Glasgow was the first to announce its divestment in fossil fuels. Now, 100 universities in the U.K. have pledged to move away from non-renewables. These institutions are 65% of the nation’s higher education sector, and this commitment means a £17.6 billion loss for fossil fuel corporations. 

These pledges were largely driven by student campaigns.

A bar-tailed godwit flying

New world record set for longest continuous bird flight

A bar-tailed godwit set an impressive world record for continuous flight time. The tagged migratory bird took off in Alaska and flew 8,426 miles (13,560 kilometers) non-stop to Tasmania in 11 days and one hour!

The birds must fatten up for the flight south, which means they must shrink their internal organs to make more room for fat. 

Let’s take action on climate together