Monthly Optimism Roundup for February 2024

29 February 2024

Positive proof that the ingenuity we need to repair the planet is out there!

This month, there are signs of slowing deforestation in the Amazon and an Earthshot Prize Finalist secures major investment. Plus, new protections for seabirds in Ireland, a global jewellery maker commits to recycled materials and a Finnish community storing renewable energy using… gravity?

Read on for all the details 👇

PROTECT AND RESTORE NATURE

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by almost 50% in 2023

Since Lula da Silva became President of Brazil in 2023, the rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has fallen by nearly half compared to the previous year.

Home to millions of species of plants and animals, and often described as the “lungs of the world”, the Amazon plays a huge role in stabilising our climate – absorbing 1.5 billion tonnes of CO2 annually.

CLEAN OUR AIR

2022 Finalist ROAM raises $24m funding to scale its EV production

Kenya-based Clean our Air Finalist from 2022, ROAM, has successfully secured $24 million investment from a recent funding round.

The money will be used to streamline supply chains and expand local manufacturing capabilities for their range of affordable zero-emissions motorcycles and public transport buses.

REVIVE OUR OCEANS

3,000 km² of Ireland’s marine waters are now protected areas

A huge area of the southeast coast of Ireland has been designated as a Special Protected Area. Known as ‘The Seas of Wexford’, the new site safeguards the habitats of 20 of the rarest and most threatened coastal bird species.

This new area increases the percentage of protected marine waters around Ireland to almost 10%.

BUILD A WASTE-FREE WORLD

Pandora moves to 100% recycled silver and gold for its jewellery

The world’s largest jewellery maker, Pandora, who sell more than 100 million pieces each year, have switched entirely to using recycled silver and gold in their production.

Replacing newly mined material with recycled metals from discarded electronics, old jewellery and manufacturing scrap will also prevent around 58,000 tonnes of associated CO2 emissions.

FIX OUR CLIMATE

Old mine repurposed as a ‘gravity battery’ for renewable energy

Scottish company Gravitricity is working with the Finnish community of Pyhäjärvi to transform an old 1,400-metre-deep zinc and copper mine into a full-scale ‘gravity battery’.

Capable of storing power for around 1,000 homes, the battery works by using renewable electricity to raise weights within the mine shaft and releasing them to drive turbines when power is required.

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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