Good Stuff
Nine stories that didn’t make front page news, but totally should have. Plus, some exciting events happening this June in the US and UK.
Scientists are protecting research from politics. The union representing nearly half of Environmental Protection Agency employees approved a new contract with the federal government this month that included protections from political meddling into their work. Source: Washington Post
A “citizen map” is helping prepare for flooding in Brazil. Researchers are asking residents in Southern Brazil to use their smartphone cameras to document the damage and high-water marks. The data collected will help scientists map flood risk and inform decisions on where to rebuild. Source: E360 Yale
Endangered caribou habitat is getting protected in Canada. Nearly 200,000 hectares of habitat in northeast B.C. has been permanently protected in the newly expanded Klinse-Za / Twin Sisters Park, making it the largest provincial park created in B.C. in a decade. Source: The Narwhal
The White House has released a national strategy to combat food waste. The new strategy is exploring behavioral change to reduce waste, as well as funding research into extending the shelf life of perishable foods, expanding food donations, and turning food waste into usable commodities like compost, gas, or animal feed. Source: New York Times
The EU’s nature restoration law was formally adopted. The new binding agreement will restore degraded ecosystems across land and sea in order to improve climate mitigation and adaptation, and enhance food security. EU states have up to 2030 to take measures on habitats deemed in poor condition to restore at least 30%. Source: Edie
Birds and bees in California will now have more protections from harmful pesticides. These protections will pertain to “Department lands” more than 1 million acres of fish and wildlife habitat, ecological reserves and other lands. Source: The Hill
Ozone-depleting gasses are dropping faster than expected. The Montreal protocol, signed in 1987, aimed to phase out harmful gasses responsible for holes in the ozone layer, known as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). A study has found that atmospheric levels of HCFCs peaked in 2021 – five years ahead of projections. Source: The Guardian
Used EVs are rapidly getting cheaper than gas-powered cars. As more EVs enter the used market at lower prices, there is a wider market of potential first-time EV owners. Source: CNBC
A school in Barcelona is offering a degree in degrowth. With this degree students gain training in fundamental theories, models, ecological economics, and political ecology to bring to work on alternative frameworks or transitions or climate mitigations. Source: Grist
Upcoming climate events:
🌱 (6/20) Q&A with Shelbi O. and Climate Power — Virtual (RSVP)
🎟️ (6/22) The Symbiocene in London (RSVP)
🎟️ (6/23) The Planet Poster Awards in London (RSVP)
🎟️ (6/25-28) Hollywood Climate Summit in Los Angeles (RSVP)
🌱 (6/25) Guided Tour of Design Researchers in Residence: Solar at the Design Museum in London (RSVP)
🌱 (6/28) Building a Sustainable Future with Biomaterials — Virtual (RSVP)