What went right in February 2026?
Hey fam,
Happy March! This newsletter normally gets sent out on Fridays, but today it’s coming to you Monday instead as I needed a little extra time to get all these stories together for a great February recap (and I was traveling along California’s Big Sur, taking a few days off to soak up the sun and some truly incredible nature).
I’m as surprised as you are that it’s March already. I might be biased since this is my birth month, but I think March is great. Flowers start to bloom, the weather gets a bit warmer, and we get extra sunlight (at least over here in the US).
What do you hope to accomplish in the first and only March 2026?
A recap of some underrated progress from February 2026
10. Turning parking spots into parks
Vienna is working on at least 350 projects turning asphalt parking spots into public green spaces to swap in bike lanes, community gardens, and areas for people to walk and hang out, which is similar to New York’s outdoor dining now finally becoming permanent which benefits local restaurants and everyone dining there. (Dave Braneck|DW, Laura Ratliff|Timeout)
9. Rare Siamese croc bounces back
One of the world’s rarest crocodiles called the Siamese crocodile found in Laos has recovered from the brink of extinction thanks to community-based conservation where local groups trained to monitor nests, protect eggs, and help with release efforts of several hundred individual crocs and many more on the way. (WCS)
8. Time for some overdue AI assessments
The UN has voted to approve a 40-member global panel on the impacts and risks of AI, with scientists now diving deep into the technology to bridge the knowledge gap and assess real world impacts, with 117 nations voting in favor and only 2 voting against. (UN News)
7. The darkest skies on Earth are staying dark
One of the darkest places on Earth is located in Chile’s Atacama desert, but it was set to be disrupted by a power plant proposal. Thankfully, public backlash convinced a company to withdraw the plan, saving the skies for astronomy, local ecosystems, and the nearby community. (Dark Sky)
6. No more burning old clothes
The EU has made it illegal to burn or destroy unsold clothes and shoes in an effort to force companies to rethink business models, and ultimately push towards a circular economy without waste. (European Commission)
5. One of California’s biggest Indigenous Land Back deals
A 10,000 acre Indigenous Land Back deal took place in California, which is apparently one of their biggest, where the Washoe Tribe bought back land they’d been forcibly removed from near Lake Tahoe by teaming up with organizations and grants to help them raise the necessary funds for the purchase. (Dani Anguinao|The Guardian)
4. Old airport becoming a solarpunk city
A former airport in Toronto is transforming into a futuristic neighborhood called YZD. This place will be focused on walkability, green spaces, and reusing airport materials in a solarpunk design that looks pretty epic. (Soo Kim|Newsweek)
3. Medical travel covered for children
This one is simple, yet awesome. England announced they’ll cover the travel costs for any children getting medical care to help families focus on treatment instead of worrying about the expenses to get there. (UK Gov)
2. Pausing data centers
New York became at least the 6th state to propose a data center pause called a moratorium lasting for three years. This is to give them enough time to study the impacts, and ultimately prevent these centers from driving up electricity costs and polluting the areas they’re built in, for little in return. (Molly Taft|Wired)
1. Our community took action
💧 star.k1d_ convinced their parents to stop buying single-use plastic water bottles and switch to reusable jugs and metal bottles instead.
🐦 Lisa turned old fencing in backyard bird houses with their husband and kids, for their home and neighbors.
Jayjay submitted a proposal to create a local community garden.
🧵 drunken_archer has been using their sewing skills to patch up clothes for those in need at shelter.
And much more!
If you’re reading this, you’re in our community too! What have you done recently to make the planet better?
This newsletter was written by Jacob Simon. Over 1 million people are in our community across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. You can say hi on LinkedIn, or by hitting reply. Brand illustration by Andrea Miralles. Thanks for helping spread some positivity, and see you next week for more.
As always, lovely to read! ❤️