Monthly Optimism Roundup for July 2024

30 July 2024

Welcome to another Optimism Roundup! Amongst the headlines in this edition, we’re sharing news of three Earthshot Prize Finalists making real progress on major environmental challenges.

Discover Polish Smog Alert’s success in securing cleaner air in Warsaw, Boomitra’s ambitious plans to lock carbon away in Mongolia and WildAid Marine Program’s efforts to fight illegal fishing in the priceless Yucatán Peninsula.

Read on for your monthly dose of positivity.

PROTECT AND RESTORE NATURE

New biodegradable “plant-glue” protects crops and pollinators

Chemical pesticides cause significant harm to wildlife and human health. But now, researchers are trialling an innovative non-toxic alternative to synthetic pesticides.

Inspired by the natural mechanism of sundew plants, the sticky “glue” traps pests without harming beneficial pollinating insects like bees. Made from edible plant oils, the glue has already been proven to trap over 60% of western flower thrips – the invasive pest insect that feeds on more than 500 species of crops worldwide.

While further research is needed, this approach promises to be a more sustainable and safer way to manage crops while protecting the natural world.

CLEAN OUR AIR

Polish Smog Alert spurs Warsaw’s First Low Emissions Zone

Warsaw has more than twice as many cars per 1,000 people as Berlin. Half of these cars run on diesel, which emits much higher levels of pollutants that are harmful to health than other types of vehicles.

Now, thanks in large part to the campaigning of 2023 Earthshot Prize Finalist, Polish Smog Alert, Warsaw has just introduced its first-ever Low Emissions Zone covering two main central regions of the city.

Initially targeting older vehicles, the new zone is estimated to slash emissions of toxic gases and tiny particulate matter that can cause breathing conditions by up to 20% in the first year and more than 50% by 2028.

REVIVE OUR OCEANS

WildAid helps protect Yucatán’s marine life from illegal fishing

Home to 34 species of pristine coral, 24 species of sharks, endangered blue whales, and countless fish and marine mammals, the Yucatán Peninsula is of global ecological importance. However, the area faces serious threats from unregulated and illegal fishing, which harms the health of the ecosystem and the sustainability of local fisheries.

To combat this, 2023 Earthshot Prize Winner, WildAid Marine Program, recently brought together nine of the region’s largest fishing organizations to share strategies for empowering their communities to protect their coasts.

A significant milestone during the workshops was the commitment of many participants to integrate digital tools into traditional surveillance methods to help record illegal fishing activity in even the remotest ocean areas.

BUILD A WASTE-FREE WORLD

Colorado’s 10-cent bag fee cuts plastic waste by 1.5 billion bags

The average plastic shopping bag is only used for about 12 minutes, but it can take hundreds of years to biodegrade. In 2023, the US state of Colorado started charging 10 cents for single-use shopping bags at major retailers to encourage the use of reusable alternatives.

One year on, this initiative has led to 1.5 billion fewer single-use bags being used, marking a huge success in plastic waste reduction. What’s more, the scheme raised $5 million, which is being used to provide free reusable shopping bags and educational resources for communities.

The state is now hoping to extend its waste-busting efforts, with a ban on single-use polystyrene food and drink products planned.

FIX OUR CLIMATE

Boomitra scales up carbon storage in Mongolia’s grasslands

Covering about 80% of the country, Mongolia’s vast grasslands are highly vulnerable to desertification from climate change. These events deplete the soil of nutrients vital for healthy vegetation, essential to grazing animals and nomadic herd farmers. Crucially, they also degrade the soil’s ability to store planet-warming carbon.

To combat this, 2023 Earthshot Prize Winner Boomitra is working with the Mongolian government to introduce farmers to regenerative agriculture methods that enhance soil health and boost carbon storage.

Initially targeting nearly 3 million acres, the project aims to remove 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to taking over 300,000 cars off the road. By 2030, they plan to reach 20 million acres.

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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