Each week we select three news articles that bring us hope for a greener, brighter future. This week, scientists in the journal Nature claim that there is more hope for a the world’s oceans to rebound by 2050. Imagine that! Seeing this precious ecosystem actually improve in your lifetime!

Oceans can be restored to former glory within 30 years, say scientists

By Damian Carrington, The Guardian, April 1, 2020

  • A review in the journal Nature, scientists say ocean life could make full rebound by 2050 if certain measures are enacted.
  • Per the article: “The measures needed, including protecting large swathes of ocean, sustainable fishing and pollution controls, would cost billions of dollars a year, the scientists say, but would bring benefits 10 times as high.”
  • The study cites successful population surges by Northern elephant seals, Green turtles, Humpback whales and other marine animals as a response to conservation efforts.

Nature Scores a Big Win Against Fracking in a Small Pennsylvania Town

By Justin Nobel, Rolling Stone, April 1, 2020

  • The community of Grant Township in western Pennsylvania scored a win over the oil industry after the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection revoked a permit for an injection well.
  • The township scored the David vs Goliath victory by adopting an ordinance that gave nature rights and therefore made injection welling — an ecologically harmful practice — illegal.
  • This tactic could serve as a road map for other small communities in Pennsylvania and across the US that are often railroaded and exploited by the fossil fuel industry.

The closure of Colorado coal-fired powerplants is freeing up water for thirsty cities

By Ann Imse, Colorado Sun, March 31, 2020

  • Often-arid Colorado is enjoying a new and unexpected source of water in the closures of coal-fired power plants.
  • Per the article: “Planners in 2010 predicted that, within 25 years, major power plants would be consuming 104,000 acre-feet per year of their own water. The Colorado Sun found that their annual consumption will end up closer to 10% of that figure.”
  • The coal plant closures set the stage for water rights battles and arguments over how the newfound source can be best used in a state that is often lacking water.

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Feature photo by Kris Mikael Krister on Unsplash.