This week’s good climate news
With so much still to do to slow warming and avoid the worst impacts of climate change, it’s important to fortify ourselves by celebrating wins along the way.
Rooftop solar hits all-time high in Australia
In Australia, rooftop solar is at an all-time high, sending fossil fuel emissions to record lows. At one point in October, consumer solar panels met 92% of South Australia’s power needs. Experts doubt the trend will slow down, especially as more and more houses add rooftop solar panels.
With an increase in battery storage, these solar boons could be used day and night.
Thriving coral reef could be model for future reef work
Scientists were sure that record levels of ocean warming permanently damaged a coral reef off the coast of the island country of Kiribati, until doing a deeper dive. Thanks to increased protections and unexpectedly good reef health, this sprawling coral reef in the Pacific Ocean was able to replenish itself and bounce back.
This model could be replicated in other threatened reefs.
Tiger sharks lead researchers to massive seagrass meadow
In the first-ever use of 360-degree cameras on a marine animal, tiger sharks led researchers to one of the largest seagrass meadows in the world. Because of its depth and location in the Bahamas, scientists weren’t previously able to map the meadows.
And these meadows can be a huge boon to fighting climate change: Seagrass can capture carbon dioxide 35 times faster than the rainforest.
Microsoft moving to hire more climate experts
Microsoft’s new report highlighted its need for employees with climate skills to meet the corporation’s sustainability targets. The company has plans to both hire experts and invest in new curricular and training materials for students.
“It’s understandable that businesses will feel pressure to cut back in certain areas, but the world cannot afford to wait for faster action to reduce carbon emissions,” says president Brad Smith.
Solar-powered SUV on its way
A new electric vehicle is hitting the market soon. Priced at $25,000, Sono Motors is launching an SUV covered with 456 solar cells, which can extend the car’s battery an average of 70 miles per week on top of the standard battery charge. More than 2,000 Europeans placed a deposit for the innovative and affordable new vehicle.
Sono is actively looking for partnerships to bring the bumper-to-bumper solar panel car to the U.S.
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