As June arrives, so has the unprecedented heatwave raging across parts of Europe, North America, and Asia, a tangible reminder that climate change is here and a global issue. However, not all is lost. June has not only brought a sweltering summer but also plenty of good news and environmental progress that may lift your spirits on a hot day. Here is some positive environmental news, from algae-made band-aids to record-breaking climate feats, to keep you company as you cool down indoors.
1. Amsterdam Bans Climate-Damaging Advertising
Amsterdam has become the first city in the world to ban environmentally damaging advertisements that promote both fossil fuels and meat products. This new law aims to steer buyers away from products with high carbon emissions, such as gas, flights and cruises. The ban took effect on May 1, 2026, and follows the recent trend of European cities fighting climate change through ads. Haarlem, in the Netherlands, implemented a similar meat-advertising ban in 2022 (effective in 2024), and The Hague introduced a ban on fossil-fuel advertising in 2025.
2. France Moves Closer to Restricting Ultra-Fast Fashion
As the birthplace of haute couture and the capital of fashion, Paris is making major moves against the expansion of ultra-fast fashion in the city. This debate has been sparked by the controversy and criticism over the inclusion of the ultra-fast-fashion brand Shein in stores. The “anti-fast-fashion” law talks will continue at the French parliament on June 17, 2026. This is a positive step toward protecting France’s fashion tradition and reducing the environmental impact of ultra-fast-fashion companies.
3. Young Innovators Are Solving Environmental Problems
The 2026 Earth Prize winners are here, and these seven young innovators prove that climate change is truly everyone’s problem. They are tackling air pollution, microplastics, plastic waste, and biodiversity loss through environmentally conscious solutions such as biodegradable bandages and fabrics, protecting hornbill habitats through upcycled plastic nests, and bringing communities together through reusable building blocks. It’s a reminder of hope that everyone can help solve the crisis.
4. Sungai Watch Completes “Run for Rivers”
The founders of Sungai Watch, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring and cleaning Indonesian rivers, have completed their 57-day, 1,200-kilometre run from Bali to Jakarta to raise awareness and funding for river cleanup efforts. The run aimed to address the problem at its source by removing 1 million kilograms of plastic from rivers before it reaches the ocean. Although more than 300,000 kilograms of plastic were removed during the campaign, falling short of the original goal, it was still a major achievement in the country’s ongoing battle against pollution.
5. A lost bird species found in Indonesia
During a recent trek through Mount Kapalatmada in Buru, the blue-fronted lorikeet, a bird once thought lost for more than a decade, was rediscovered. The mountaineering group Kanal Buru spotted the vibrant green birds. Very little was known about the species, which had been seen only once in 2014 before this encounter. Originally thought to be extinct, this recent sighting has brought renewed hope of learning more about the parrot species. New photos and the first-ever recordings of its calls add to that hope, even as its home remains under threat from deforestation.
6. LIFE Danube floodplains project restores wetlands
The LIFE Danube floodplains project just won the top award in the Nature & Biodiversity category at the LIFE Awards 2026 for its work restoring floodplains and wetlands along the Danube River in Slovakia. This rich network of waterways was damaged by engineering work related to nearby dams. After nearly a decade of restoration, wetlands and river channels have been reconnected, creating breeding habitats for wildlife such as amphibians, fish, and birds like herons and storks, making it one of the most successful nature restoration projects.
7. Mangroves rebound worldwide
A 2026 study by Dr Zhang and colleagues found that the world’s mangrove forests are steadily rebounding after decades of decline. Satellite images show that mangrove forests have recovered remarkably, with global coverage approaching levels not seen since the 1980s. Though they may not receive as much attention as other ecosystems, mangroves are an essential part of the ecosystem, storing large amounts of carbon and protecting coastlines from storms and further erosion.
8. Susan Solomon Honoured for Climate Leadership
Atmospheric chemist Susan Solomon received the prestigious Tang Prize 2026 in Sustainable Development, recognising both her groundbreaking research and her contributions to climate policy. Her work scientifically showed that global warming is caused by carbon emissions and helped explain why the ozone hole was widening over Antarctica. This research informed major policies, including the Montreal Protocol, which removed ozone-depleting chemicals, and contributed to the broader climate policy framework that led to agreements such as the Paris Agreement.
9. The world’s oceans gain new protected havens
New Zealand has announced five new marine reserves along the Otago coast in Aotearoa to preserve and protect the marine ecosystem from human interference. This 308-square-kilometre stretch of water is home to many threatened species, including the yellow-eyed penguin, the New Zealand albatross, and Hector’s dolphin. This is a major win for ocean protection and for mitigating biodiversity loss.
10. Football players break record for climate action
Just a few days before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, thousands of soccer stars and fans joined the “Where Football Lives” event by the non-profit Count Us In to help raise funds for community fields damaged by climate change due to intense heat, cold, and flooding. For 10 seconds, over 5,000 people across five countries simultaneously juggled a soccer ball, raising at least $75,000 and breaking the previous Guinness World Record for the most people juggling a soccer ball at the same time.
Positive Environmental News With Lasting Impact
This round-up may have taken the spotlight in June, but these stories have been years, if not decades, in the making. From climate leader Susan Solomon’s research starting in the 1980s to today’s environmental youth champions creating alternative solutions to everyday climate problems, these news stories offer a breath of fresh air, with the knowledge that the Earth is slowly healing and sustainable developments are happening every day.
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