Synopsis of last week's good news about nature, medicine and sustainable energy.
Nature / Wildlife
Natural Solution: Nature-based policies from governments around the world have doubled over the last 12 months. The new study looked at 300 different policies around the globe and found that around half of global emissions reductions by 2035 are likely to come from those aimed at ending deforestation, reducing food waste, restoring ecosystems, lowering agricultural emissions and rolling out nature-based climate solutions.
Bison Impact: New research shows that a herd of 170 bison roaming Romania’s Țarcu mountains have such a positive environmental impact, that it's equivalent to taking almost two million cars of the road for a year.
Pelicans Return: Pelicans were just seen nesting on Hat Island in Utah for the first time since 1943. Not only is this year’s return promising for the wetland environment, but it indicates hope about the population as a whole.
"Very Special Day": Some 510 finches from five species were released on Floreana Island as part of a nature restoration programme. A flock of finches, the birds famously studied by Charles Darwin in his theory of evolution, have been reintroduced to an area of the Galapagos Islands. Since 2023 experts have been working to eradicate introduced species which have caused the disappearance of numerous native species, paving the way for ecological restoration.
Medicine / Science
New Vaccine Patch: It could offer a safe and effective way to protect children against measles, research suggests. The size of a small adhesive bandage, the patch is easier to transport and store than standard injections. In a trial conducted in Gambia, more than 90 percent of the babies were protected against measles and all against rubella. The patches could also ensure that 95 percent of children worldwide receive immunisation, according to experts.
Amazing Achievement: A new report by the World Health Organisation says that an estimated 11.7 million malaria deaths have been averted globally between 2000 and 2022 as a result of scaling up malaria control interventions - an astonishing public health achievement. The rollout of the new malaria vaccines provides fresh hope that progress can be maintained.
Nanoscale: Harvard scientists released the most detailed map of a piece of human brain matter ever created, and it's hoped that it will spur a wave of scientific discovery about neurological disorders, brain structure, and the origins of our behaviour.
Sustainable Energy
Hats Off to Portugal: Portugal generated 95 percent of its electricity from renewables in April, according to the network operator REN. Renewable energy generation averaged just below that for the first four months of the year, covering 91 percent of the nation’s power needs. The nation is well on its way to joining the 100 percent club.
Wooden Blades: The world’s first wooden wind turbine blades have been installed in Germany. Remarkably, they produce 78 percent fewer CO2 emissions during construction and reduce production costs by 20 percent compared to current turbine blades.
Fusion Record: The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory hit a new fusion reactor endurance record that could open the door to practical fusion power on a commercial scale. Using a tungsten lining, the WEST reactor held a reaction for six minutes.
World’s First: A sleek new housing complex in Paris was made from the rubble of a 1960s building - becoming the first building to be entirely made from recycled concrete.
Finally! Federal regulators have approved sweeping changes to how America’s electric grids are planned and funded, in a move that supporters hope could spur thousands of miles of new high-voltage power lines and make it easier to add more wind and solar energy. Regulators now require operators to look 20 years ahead, accounting for changes in the energy mix. Why is this good news? Aside from shifting from short-term to long-term thinking in building infrastructure, these changes are desperately needed.
Uplifting Eco Stats
10%: Germany's greenhouse gas emissions dropped by one-tenth last year. Europe's biggest economy is trying to cut its emissions by 65 percent, compared with 1990, by 2030. This latest stat puts it on track to doing so.
Less Than 25%: Fossil fuels provided less than a quarter of the EU’s energy for the first time in April - a sharp drop of 22 percent compared to April 2023 despite an increase in demand.
More Than 30%: The percentage of the world’s electricity that's now generated using renewables.
90%: The percentage that battery costs have dropped in the last 15 years.
Now that you've made it through the serious stuff, how about a chuckle or two? Take your pick from last week's Random Collection of Funny Signs or a video of the Peter Sellers inspired Hilarious Bingo Game For French Job Applicant
Today's Articles
Looks Weird: Paintings of old-looking babies abounded during the Middle Ages. Some even had six-packs. Why?
Knepp Estate: The fabulous, uplifting story of how a barren, lifeless, and over-farmed estate was transformed into a thriving landscape.
Solar Subscription: This Spanish company installs solar panels with no upfront investment. Is this the affordable future?
Sounds Right: Nature can now receive royalties from streaming platforms and is set to earn millions.