Monthly Optimism Roundup for August 2024

28 August 2024

Welcome to a special Finalists Edition of the Monthly Optimism Roundup!

In this issue, we’ve picked out some of the most inspiring recent examples of Earthshot Prize Finalists tackling our critical environmental challenges. Read on for news of Freetown the Treetown’s mammoth tree planting weekend, Roam and Circ’s big partnerships, WildAid safeguarding more ocean and Lanzatech’s efforts to clean up aviation.

Dive in for your fresh dose of positivity and discover how these groundbreaking initiatives are shaping a more sustainable future.

PROTECT AND RESTORE NATURE

Freetown the Treetown distribute 25,000 trees in one weekend

Years of deforestation in Freetown, together with an ever-changing climate, has meant Sierra Leone’s capital city has experienced frequent heavy floods and landslides.

To improve the city’s climate resilience, and boost its green spaces, 2023 Earthshot Prize Finalists, Freetown the Treetown, empower residents to plant trees. So far, hundreds of thousands of trees have been planted, with 25,000 saplings having been distributed in just one weekend in August.

Once planted, the trees will be digitally tracked to make sure they continue to thrive long into the future, protecting the city for generations to come.

CLEAN OUR AIR

Roam partners with online supermarket to offer zero-emission delivery service

Continuing their rapid expansion, 2022 Finalists Roam have partnered with Kenyan online supermarket Greenspoon to enable zero-emission food deliveries.

Using Roam’s electric motorcycle, the Roam Air, which has a range of up to 225km, Greenspoon riders will be able to fulfil around 200 orders a day, all without producing any harmful tailpipe pollutants.

Forward-thinking partnerships like this are helping to reduce carbon emissions and clean the air of our towns and cities for the benefit of everyone.

REVIVE OUR OCEANS

WildAid and Gabon government protect 200,000 km² of ocean

200 miles off the east coast of Africa lies the Gabon Exclusive Economic Zone. This vast 200,000 square kilometre area of ocean is rich in marine biodiversity, home to critically endangered leatherback turtles

Its huge array of fish species also makes it a significant fishing ground. Illegal and unregulated fishing, however, threaten the delicate marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of those who depend on sustainable fishing.

To address this challenge, 2023 Earthshot Prize Winner WildAid has provided Gabon’s Fishery Inspectors with a new 9.5-meter patrol boat. Along with expert training from WildAid, this vessel will enhance the officers’ ability to monitor and respond to illegal activities, safeguarding the area’s vital marine life.

BUILD A WASTE-FREE WORLD

Circ launch second clothing range with Zara using recycled materials

2023 Earthshot Prize Finalists, Circ, and global fashion brand, Zara, have teamed up again to launch a new range of women’s clothes made from 50% recycled textile waste.

The four pieces are each made entirely from Circ’s innovative Lyocell fabric, which mimics the look and feel of silk but is made from recycled polyester clothes.

Following their first collaboration in 2023, this partnership between Circ and Zara proves that desirable clothes can be produced from recycled materials and is a huge step towards cutting fashion waste.

FIX OUR CLIMATE

Lanzatech is turning captured carbon into sustainable jet fuel

Flying accounts for a significant proportion of global CO2 emissions and remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. Despite huge advances in battery-electric technology, alternative sustainable jet fuels are likely to be needed to meet global carbon reduction goals.

2022 Earthshot Prize Finalist, LanzaTech, have collaborated with LanzaJet to develop a pioneering process that can turn nearly any waste source, including captured industrial carbon emissions, into alternative jet fuel.

This new technology aims to bring down the costs of making sustainable alternative aviation fuels, helping to accelerate the transition to zero-carbon transportation.

Keep an eye on our channels for all the latest optimism from around the world, including updates from our amazing Finalists.

Got some news you want to shout about? Share on social media using #EarthshotPrize

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