Humpback whales are swimming their way off of the threatened species list in Australia’s waters, the Guardian reports. The population has grown to nearly 40,000, up from a concerning 1,500 at the height of the commercial whaling industry.
Still, environmental groups caution that warming oceans could significantly diminish krill populations in Antarctica, a critical feeding ground for humpback whales. The Australian environment minister, Sussan Ley, announced that the Australian government is investing in a monitoring program to continue to protect whale populations.
The “Green Capital” of Europe Models Sustainable Planning for the World
Europe’s “greenest city” is getting creative to become carbon neutral by 2050. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, will prioritize providing green space — parks will constitute 19.5% of the city’s landmass. To attract pollinators, the city will develop a corridor of green space that traverses six districts. In 2013, the city announced free public transportation. A 13-kilometer walkway encourages citizens to cycle or walk instead of taking a private vehicle. These and many other projects earned Tallinn the European Commission’s title of European Green Capital for 2023.
