Good Climate News—Vol. #7 (April 1, 2024)
The Power of Unity: Bridging Local Initiatives and Global Concerns for the Environment
Happy Monday! Here’s your weekly dose of Good Climate News, where we share stories of innovation, inspiration, and impact happening around the world—plus a quick sustainability tip and a fun trivia question!
Trivia Question: Which country generates the most solar energy?
A) China
B) United States
C) Germany
D) India
Find the answer at the end of the newsletter!
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Spotlight Story: More People Care About Climate Change Than You Think.
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Globally, people dramatically underestimate the degree to which other people are concerned about climate change. This "perception gap" is important because political and business decision-makers often rely on perceived public support to set priorities. Reports from various data sets consistently show that a substantial majority worldwide recognizes the threats posed by climate change and demands action. Addressing this perception gap is crucial, as silence and inaction can perpetuate the myth that people concerned about climate change are a minority.
The perception of public support plays a critical role in shaping how societies approach climate solutions. While debates continue over the methods of addressing climate change, there's a clear consensus on the urgency of the issue. However, narratives often portrayed by the media and social media fail to reflect this reality. We must have loud and widespread conversations about climate change to clarify the sound of the globally resounding call for climate action.
Underestimating collective climate concern is a good problem, but it is a problem nonetheless. Internet and media discourse can make it appear as though the existence of climate change is up for debate, whereas in reality, the debate exists on how to address it. Having real-life conversations can help overcome this illusion and make evident the degree to which most people in your neighborhood, city, country, and world are also concerned about climate change and eager to address it.
Headline Highlights
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Self-Healing Batteries: A Breakthrough in Green Technology
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Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a lithium-sulfur battery cathode–"the negatively charged electrode by which electrons enter an electrical device"–with self-healing properties, potentially doubling the range of electric vehicles. The cathode's enhanced conductivity and low melting point facilitate self-repair, promising longer battery life and reduced environmental impact.
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Connecticut's Push for Environmental Constitutional Amendment
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Connecticut's "Green Amendment" is a proposed change to the state constitution that would legally guarantee residents' rights to clean air, water, and a stable climate. It aims to elevate environmental protections to a fundamental right on par with other constitutional guarantees. Currently in the legislative process, the amendment requires substantial support to be placed on the ballot—either a three-quarters majority in both legislative chambers or a simple majority in consecutive sessions. If successful, the public could vote on the amendment as soon as November 2024, potentially enshrining these environmental rights into the state's constitution.
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Historic Land Return to the Yurok Tribe
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A landmark agreement between the Yurok Tribe, Save the Redwoods League, National Park Service, and California State Parks to return the 'O Rew property is a significant step in acknowledging Indigenous land rights and fostering collaborative environmental stewardship. This transfer not only aims to heal historical injustices by reinstating the Yurok Tribe as the land's caretakers but also establishes a new model for managing and conserving ecologically and culturally significant areas. The agreement reflects a broader movement towards integrating traditional knowledge in conservation practices and highlights the importance of partnership in addressing climate change and ecological damage.
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Faith in Action: Crafting a Greener Future with Prayer and Crochet
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Juanita Bailey, from the Olive Branch Church of Christ in Belize, has found a practical way to combat plastic waste in her community. While praying in the mornings, she crochets discarded plastic bags into larger, reusable ones. Each bag she creates repurposes up to sixty single-use plastic bags, which would have otherwise been pollution waste. Not only do Juanita's efforts reduce waste, but they also raise environmental awareness amongst her friends and family.
Sustainability Tip
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Have plants? Save your tea or coffee grounds to use as fertilizer!
Trivia Answer
If you answered A) China, you are correct! China has 430 GW of installed solar capacity as of April 2023, which is far ahead of the second place United States and their 142 GW of installed solar capacity. (Source)
Thanks for tuning into this week’s Good Climate News! We hope these stories have brightened your day and inspired you to join us in making a positive impact. Don’t forget to send in your trivia answer for a chance to be featured next week. Stay optimistic, stay green, and we’ll see you next Monday with more good news from around the world!
In case you missed the most recent Zenethica article…