Guinea worm is on the brink of becoming the second human disease in history to be eradicated
A painful, parasitic disease that once infected 3.5 million people per year is tantalizingly In 2022, just 12 cases were record worldwide.
International community
10% of global car sales were electric in 2022 for first time ever
The total number of EVs sold in 2022 jumped a staggering 68% from 2021. China led the world, both in number of EVs sold and in the fraction of its vehicle sales that were fully electric.
Global investment in clean energy matches that in fossil fuels for the first time ever in 2022
Investment in renewables, such as wind and solar, grew 17 percent last year, reaching $495 billion, while investment in electric vehicles grew a staggering 54 percent, hitting $466 billion.
In historic deal, nearly 200 countries agree to protect 30% of land and sea to protect biodiversity
The countries have agreed to cut fertilizer runoff from farms by 50% and reduce the risk of pesticides by 50%, while putting $200 billion annually toward biodiversity by 2030.
Shark-fishing gear banned across much of Pacific in conservation ‘win’
The measure adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission is seen as a major and potentially precedent-setting win for conservationists.
Heat pump sales are soaring around the world
Sales of the climate-friendly heating technology are set to hit record levels, especially in Europe where some countries are seeing sales double in the first half of 2022 compared with the same period last year.
Indonesia seals $20 billion deal with G7 to speed up clean energy transition
Under the partnership, Indonesia will aim to cap its emissions from the power sector by 2030, faster than the initial target of 2037, and to generate 34% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Ozone layer hits a “significant milestone” as concentrations of harmful chemicals drop 50%
In 1987, just seven years after ozone depletion from chemicals was made most obvious, every country on Earth ratified a treaty, known as the Montreal Protocol, to regulate the chemicals to protect Earth.
U.N. General Assembly declares access to clean and healthy environment a universal human right
The resolution, based on a similar text adopted last year by the Human Rights Council, calls upon States, international organizations, and business enterprises to scale up efforts to ensure a healthy environment for all.
In comeback moment, up to 150 fin whales spotted feeding off Antarctica
The recovery of a large whale population is not only a glimpse of hope; it is also likely to have a stimulating effect on primary production in the Southern Ocean, enhancing CO2 uptake and carbon sink capacities.