Happy January! From groundbreaking technological development to powerful new legislation, 2023 is already full of exciting climate updates.
Week of 6 January
Outdoor Education Programs Are Inspiring the Next Generation of Climate Activists
Across America, youth-centered nonprofits are reshaping the face of the environmental movement. Organizations are popping up worldwide to provide more outdoor access and environmental education to youth, fostering the next generation of advocates for our planet. Learn more here.
Biden Signs Water Bills Benefiting 3 Tribes in Arizona
President Joe Biden signed legislation Thursday giving leasing authority to the Colorado River Indian Tribes. Biden also approved a water rights settlement for the Hualapai Tribe. Learn more here.
Europe Makes a Plan to Become the First Climate-Neutral Continent
From retrofitting buildings to rethinking farming, electrifying transport, and prioritizing reforestation, the EU is chasing net zero. Learn more here.
Solar Power’s Global Installation Pace Picked Up Significantly in 2022
It is projected that somewhere between 230 and 300 gigawatts of solar power module capacity was installed in 2022 around the world, representing a 53.4% increase. Learn more here.
Week of 13 January
Military-funded Project Tests Hybrid Reefs as Defense Tool in Florida
University of Miami researchers are developing a new tool to fight coastal flooding: hybrid reefs that combine concrete and coral to weaken the force of ocean waves. Learn more here.
A Giant Underground Battery is a $1-billion Clean Energy Solution
A group of local governments announced Thursday it’s signed a 25-year, $775-million contract to buy power from what would be the world’s largest compressed-air energy storage project. Learn more here.
Ozone Layer Continues To Heal, a Key Development for Health, Food Security, and the Planet, U.N Study Says
Scientists say strides in shrinking the ‘ozone hole’ offer a path forward on global warming. Learn more here.
Bundesliga: Reusable Cups Mandatory in Stadiums
German football is in a state of flux when it comes to environmental protection and sustainability. The latest pioneering decision comes as the Bundesliga looks to get back underway after the World Cup in Qatar. Learn more here.
Week of 2o January
Britain’s First Zero Emissions Street Could Be Reinstated Permanently
Britain’s first “zero emissions street” could be permanently reinstated after toxic air rose to illegal levels when an 18-month trial ended. Learn more here.
Cities Really Can Be Both Denser and Greener
A classic urban trade-off might not be our destiny. That’s great news for the climate. Learn more here.
The Plan to Save Italy’s Olive Trees with Dogs
A deadly and hard-to detect disease bas been ravaging the treasures olive trees southern Italy for 10 years. A highly trained squad of super-sniffer dogs could save them. Learn more here.
Week of 27 January
Seeds Developed Over Thousands of Years May Help Farmers Adapt to Climate Change
A seed bank in rural Lebanon is proving important for food production in regions all over the world adapting to warming temperatures. Learn more here.
At First, Locals Protested Alaska’s Land Sale. Now, They’re Reclaiming It.
In October, the state of Alaska closed bidding on the long-awaited Nenana Totchaket agricultural project land sale. The project opened up the sale of nearly 150,000 acres of state land to bidders willing to develop the land for agricultural use, which the state hopes will relieve local struggles with food insecurity. Learn more here.
Lab-Grown Alternatives Aim To Cut Palm Oil Dependence
Two biotech firms have developed oils made from yeast as a replacement for palm. Learn more here.
Sierra Leone’s First-Ever Heat Officer Is Helping the Country’s Capital Adjust to (and Thrive Again in) Warming Temperatures
Freetown, like many cities around the world, is increasingly threatened by dangerous temperatures. To confront the issue, Freetown announced a new hire in November: a chief heat officer, the first in Africa. Learn more here.
We hope this reminds you of all the valuable efforts taking place worldwide to protect our lands and oceans. If you’re interested in staying updated, check out out Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook or subscribe to our newsletter!