20 April 2026

I recently returned from a trip to England and Wales. While seeing family was the highlight - and the excellent food and weather were a welcome bonus - I came away with more than just memories. I’ve written before about the UK’s impressive vegan scene, but this trip opened my eyes to broader environmental initiatives. Driven by both government leadership and consumer demand, these efforts offer a compelling model for any nation looking to preserve the planet for future generations.

The Culture of Recycling

In England, recycling isn’t viewed as a chore; it’s embraced as a collective responsibility. My sister-in-law told me about a program that captures even one of the most “un-recyclable” items: medication blister packs. Through collection points at local drugstores, these packs are diverted from landfills, with proceeds often benefiting charities. In 2025 alone, over 70,000 pounds were recycled - that’s a lot of blister packs!

Wales: A Blueprint for Biodiversity

The Welsh countryside is stunning, but its beauty is now backed by serious policy. Wales recently committed to the “30 by 30” framework, a pledge to protect 30% of its land, freshwater, and seas by 2030. This aggressive target is part of the COP 15 Global Biodiversity Framework, with Wales committing significant research and funding toward nature recovery.

This commitment extends to the roots of the economy: farming.

• Sustainable Agriculture Loan Scheme: Low-interest loans help small and medium-sized farms invest in energy efficiency and waste management.
• 2026 Sustainable Farming Scheme: This initiative incentivizes “universal actions” like soil testing, pesticide reduction, and wildlife habitat restoration.

The “Middle Ground” of Consumption

Even my flight home offered a lesson in sustainability. I was served a delicious coconut chocolate mousse - hardly a health food, but sustainably produced. What struck me was the mix-and-match nature of the meal. It included real butter and cheese alongside a non-dairy dessert, bypassing the either/or mentality often found in the US. By normalizing plant-based alternatives as high-quality options rather than restrictive “diet food,” we open minds (and palates) to more sustainable eating habits.

From the allergen-friendly “Crunchy Corn Nibbles” to the pressed-board cutlery, Virgin Atlantic demonstrated that small, inclusive steps toward sustainability don’t have to compromise the passenger experience.

A Lesson in Humility

I don’t highlight these examples to suggest that the UK or Virgin Atlantic have solved every environmental crisis. Rather, I want to encourage a bit of humility. We all have much to learn, and the best solutions can come from anywhere if we are willing to look.

Consider the possibilities:
Recycling rates in the US range from 2% to 63% depending on the state. What if we scaled the success of top-tier states like Oregon nationwide?
Imagine if the USDA Farm Bill incentivized regenerative agriculture with the same vigor as the Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme.
What if we moved past the “Vegan vs. Carnivore” debate and focused on the vast majority of consumers in the middle, making plant-predominant eating the easy, accessible norm?

“Imagine all the people sharing all the world...”

Oops, sorry - I’m still caught up in the spirit of the Magical Mystery Tour I took in Liverpool last week! But the sentiment holds. There is so much good happening if we choose to look for it.

What interesting and positive actions for the planet are happening near you? Let’s focus on the good!