There is often much doom and gloom when it comes to the questions of climate change and biodiversity destruction.

There are big expectations for the upcoming COP26 meeting in Glasgow, where it is hoped countries will put their money where their mouths are and set about making the changes needed to save the planet.

There is though, good news about things already happening. The recent Earthshot series on BBC 1 told of a number of excellent initiatives across the world to deal with the crisis.

Earthshot focuses on the five areas of biodiversity, climate change, pollution, ocean destruction and waste. There are to be five awards of £1 million each made every year for the next 10 years.

The series provided a narrative on the problem but then some real causes for hope. There was Singapore, for example, where the use of biophilic design, which sees the like of green walls, trees, etc incorporated in the development of urban landscapes to counter pollution.

In Mexico, there was an artist painting murals on the side of buildings with airlite paint that actually counters pollution.

On biodiversity, rewilding can do so much to improve the situation by helping to absorb carbon dioxide, as well as increasing biodiversity.

In the UK, there are some excellent peatlands that if handled properly absorb huge amounts of CO2. Managed wrongly, the same lands will emit CO2.

The introduction of key species like longhorn cattle and beaver have a dramatic impact on the landscape.

The sea otter is a key species in the oceans. It eats urchins, which hoover up CO2-absorbing kelp. The reintroduction of the sea otter has seen the rebirth of the kelp forests, increasing the level of CO2 being absorbed.

At the end of each of the programs, the Duke of Cambridge introduced the three finalists for the Earthshot prize. All have been excellent, well meriting the £1 million prize money.

If only five out of the 15 projects shortlisted can win the prizes, then maybe the British government can come up with the rest of the funds to support the unlucky losers from the series?

Paul Donovan is a Redbridge Labour councillor for Wanstead village and blogger. See paulfdonovan.blogspot.com