Reasons to be cheerful 2020
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Originally posted 22 December 2020
The title says it all. The past twelve months may have been the most demanding many of us can remember but as we look back at the green and environmental news from the year, there are more than a few reasons to be cheerful.
Watch our video to enjoy some good news as we wave goodbye
to 2020
These aren’t just our highlights. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been asking our partners to think about their reasons to be cheerful and seeing their responses (see below) has been hugely life affirming and a great way to end the year.
First up, though, we want to share the results of our recent Green Fightback campaign. We welcomed around 1000 new households to truly green energy as a result of this campaign – and made a lot of new and existing customers even happier with their £50 John Lewis vouchers!
Friends of the Earth
In September, after opposition by Friends of the Earth and local campaign group Save Druridge, planning permission was finally refused for a controversial opencast coal mine at Druridge Bay.
Friends of the Earth climate campaigner Tony Bosworth said...
“The rejection of planning permission for a destructive opencast coal mine at Druridge Bay is fantastic news for our environment, and a tremendous victory for local campaigners.”
RSPB
A heart-warming tale as rare spoonbill chicks were seen taking flight for the first time in three centuries in Suffolk. The birds were discovered nesting on RSPB Havergate Island nature reserve, Suffolk’s only island, after 15 years of work to encourage them to breed on the island.
Aaron Howe, RSPB South Suffolk Sites Manager said...
“During lockdown at the RSPB we heard time and time again from people how they reconnected with the wildlife on their doorstep like never before and found solace in nature. We hope the news that these rare and incredible birds had a breakthrough after 15 years work will help raise people’s spirits.”
Viva!
Viva's short film, HOGWOOD, follows undercover investigators as they expose what really goes on inside Hogwood pig farm, was released in March. Narrated by Jerome Flynn, the Game of Thrones star, it won ‘Best Short Film’ and ‘Wild Animal Award’ at the British Documentary Film Festival – and, more importantly, continues to open people’s eyes to the treatment of farm animals.
If you haven’t seen it yet, you can watch HOGWOOD on most streaming services. As Peter Egan, actor in Downton Abbey and Ever Decreasing Circles, says: “I truly believe HOGWOOD can change the hearts and minds of all who watch it. This powerful documentary could put an end to the damaging animal industries which threaten our very existence. HOGWOOD must be shared far and wide.”
Triodos UK
The independent bank has been lending to sustainable projects throughout 2020, including the UK’s first 100% electric intercity coach service. They worked with transport start-up Ember to finance two electric coaches, which are now making regular 125-mile roundtrips between Dundee and Edinburgh on a single charge.
Philip Bazin of Triodos Bank UK said...
“Supporting the transition to a low carbon economy is a fundamental objective for us as a lender and Ember is a brilliant example of an organisation taking advantage of the latest technology to offer customers high-quality, environmentally sound transport options.”
And that’s not all…
Reasons to be cheerful about the climate crisis and the environment
When it comes to the climate crisis, the environment and other green issues, there have been some real reasons to be cheerful in 2020.
We welcomed some of Britain’s most sustainable organisations to truly green energy with Ecotricity, including: LEON, Bike Park Wales and the Royal Yachting Association.
In the wider world, there’s a sense of optimism. Over 33 million households tuned in to watch Sir David Attenborough’s Netflix series, Our Planet – and the UK went coal free for 67 days in July this year, for the first time in 138 years!
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