15 Positive Climate News From Around The World- September Edition8 min read

One of Australia’s most coal-producing states, the Queensland government has announced a $40 billion plan to transition its coal-fired plants to renewable energy by 2035, while prioritizing worker’s rights.

In a monumental victory for campaigners, a South African court has upheld a ban on the energy giant Shell using seismic blasting to explore for oil and gas off the Indian Ocean coast – which would have come with devastating impacts on whales and other marine life. Shell had been granted permission for exploration in 2014, which was met by a legal battle led by environmental and human rights organizations.

Kemp’s ridley sea turtles used to thrive in the Gulf of Mexico, but their populations have dwindled since the mid 1900s. Now, sea turtle hatchlings have been found on the Chandeleur islands in Louisiana for the first time in 75 years. The species is listed as critically endangered, and the local coastal protection authority will aim to advance conservation plans and habitat preservation for the island following the discovery.

The city of Rio de Janeiro is working with local favelas to build the biggest urban garden in the world. The “Hortas Cariocas” initiative will link five favelas, ultimately covering an area the size of 15 soccer fields. Up to 100,000 families will benefit from the project every month, making organic food more affordable and accessible.

Birkbeck University in London is the first to blacklist oil, gas and mining companies from its careers service as part of its new Ethical Careers Policy, following a campaign by the student-led group People & Planet. The campaign is now active in dozens of UK universities and backed by the National Union of Students and the Universities and College Union, which represents academics and support staff.

Mayor Sadiq Khan has teamed up with Thames Water to install more than a hundred new water fountains in busy areas of the city.

Google will launch a new tool that will highlight the most fuel-efficient way to get between two points, to help customers save money on fuel and reduce carbon emissions.

Pinterest will switch to renewables globally by next year and reduce on-site energy consumption, alongside efforts to incorporate nature into the design of new buildings.

South Australia’s energy grid is set to phase out fossil fuel backup within the next few years, averaging 64% over the last 12 months.

A new ferry across the English channel aims to significantly cut CO2 emissions. Currently at pilot stage, it could be launched for foot passengers and cyclists as early as 2023.

A one-year campaign aiming to restore mangrove forests along Tanzania’s coastline has been launched in Dares Salaam as part of a plan to curb climate change impacts in the country, supported by $2 million from the Aga Khan Foundation. The project was kickstarted by 50 Ismaili community student volunteers, who planted 1,500 mangrove saplings.

To meet its Green Pact goals, the Spanish government has proposed to renovate more than half a million homes by 2026, out of a total of 25 million in the country.

Youth-led movement ‘Fridays For Future’ started by Great Thunberg conducted a ‘Global Climate Strike’ all over the world on 23rd September, 2022. Young students and professionals from different walks of life stepped out on the streets to demand justice for the planet. The Uttar Pradesh chapter of FFF organised it’s first ever and one of the biggest climate strike demonstrating the current situation of the planet. The 700+ strong team of young climate conscious beings spread awareness among the masses in more than 14 cities of the state through posters, street art, chalk of shame, etc.

The World Health Organisation and 200 other health associations have made an unprecedented global call to rapidly phase out fossil fuel exploration and production, similar to the framework convention on tobacco which was negotiated in 2003. In the same week, Kolkata in India become the largest city to endorse the treaty, which has gained support from around the world.