#80: COP28 comes to a close

Hi! I missed you. Happy Friday.

Did you know we have only 16 days left in 2023?!

I've decided to delete social media from my phone the last week of the year, which I consider a big deal not only because we're all on our phones quite a lot, but also because I've posted almost every single weekday since January. But taking the last week pretty much completely off from work (so sadly, I won't talk to you all) will be a great opportunity to rest and gear up for an incredible 2024. I'll still update you on the good news next week before going MIA!

I deleted my socials the last week of last year, and it was super refreshing... I caught myself reaching for my phone, opening it, having absolutely nothing to do on it, and subsequently putting it down to read or be engaged in the conversation, game, or day's events.

If you can, I recommend you delete your apps for the week too! (but then hop back on them to keep catching all the good news I share on them ;))

This week's good news includes the wrap-up of the UN Climate talks/COP28, lots of awesome activism, some innovation around field research, and much more.

Please enjoy and have a fantastic weekend!

The good from Monday, December 11

Single-use vapes will be banned in France after a unanimous vote in an effort to protect young people’s health and the environment, which should start next year. (Ground News)

No new buildings will create fossil fuel emissions after 2030 in the EU thanks to a new energy and homes deal that will also mandate solar panels to be installed. (The Guardian)

Greenpeace blocked a huge deep-sea mining vessel for 200 straight hours to protect our biodiverse deep-sea ecosystems, and a Dutch court just ruled they can remain in kayaks around the vessel. (Greenpeace)

A new report reveals raising freezer temperatures by just 3 degrees Celcius would reduce CO2 emissions equal to taking 3.8 million cars off the road without compromising food safety. (Phys)

The good from Tuesday, December 12

Well over 2,000 world leaders, celebrities, CEOs, scientists, and other leaders sent a letter urging parties at COP28 to hold the line and negotiate a better final document that calls for an equitable phase-out of fossil fuels, while activists are lining the path to the negotiation room to make it clear that we demand and deserve serious action now. (B Team)

A new study revealed gigantic redwood trees, some 1,500 years old, have incredible abilities to survive wildfires and store energy for hundreds of years until it’s usable. (Eco Watch)

A group of young activists from Climate Defiance bravely disrupted and shut down an event intended to honor climate criminal and CEO of Exxon, Darren Woods. (Climate Defiance)

Brazil and Colombia have destroyed 19 illegal gold mines in the Amazon rainforest so far in a continued effort to end deforestation and protect biodiversity. (Eco Watch)

The good from Wednesday, December 13

For the first time ever, after 30 years of efforts, 200 countries signed a pact to transition away from fossil fuels on the final day of COP28, showing not perfect, but positive change. (NYT)

Scientists have figured out a way to collect DNA from polar bear pawprints in the snow, letting them monitor endangered animals in a non-invasive and harmless way. (Eco Watch)

A zero-waste program in Roubaix, France has inspired over 800 families to massively reduce litter and save thousands of dollars, with most at least cutting their waste in half. (The Guardian)

285,000 people, enough to fill up Madison Square Garden 15 times and more people than the Great March on Washington in 1963, have signed various letters calling for CP2 and 20 gas facilities to be stopped to protect human health, the environment, and energy prices, and as more and more people sign, the chances of stopping this are greater and greater. (Action Network)

The good from Thursday, December 14

The giant ground Pangolin was considered extinct in Kenya for 50 years until it was accidentally rediscovered in 2018, sparking landowners to sign conservation leases that protect the forest and remaining pangolins. (The Guardian)

Massachusetts is now the first state to declare a mandatory transition for utility companies to move from gas to electricity for heating, and 11 other states may follow. (Inside Climate News)

Nonprofits are teaming up with farmers across the UK to strategically plant trees and navigate grants that help boost income and inch closer to the country’s goal of 30,000 hectares of woodland planted each year. (positive.news)

New York City has started a new program called NYC Teenspace that provides completely free therapy to 13-17-year-olds who can call, text, or video chat licensed therapists with no strings attached. (Chalk Beat)

Even better... (bonus stories!)

Lundy Island wild bird numbers soar

The island in the Bristol Channel is now a hotspot for seabirds, according to the RSPB.

BBC NewsBBC News

Food’s Climate Funding Tops $7 Billion During COP28

New money pledged for the global food system’s climate fight topped $7 billion during this year’s COP28 summit.

BloombergAgnieszka de Sousa

Scientists Call for Fireworks-Free Zones to Protect Birds - EcoWatch

The mass use of New Year’s Eve fireworks can cause birds to use precious energy stores as they flee from the loud sounds, new research finds.

EcoWatchCristen Hemingway Jaynes

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See you again soon,

Jacob

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