Turkish companies go solar at record pace
More than 300 Turkish companies have applied for approval to install solar panels in the past two weeks alone.
Nations
South Korea achieves near 100% food waste recycling
In 1996, South Korea recycled less than 3% of its food waste. Today, it has East Asian nation has achieved a near 100% food waste recycling rate after implementing a country-wide mandatory composting scheme in 2013.
Stéphanie Frappart makes history as first-ever female World Cup referee
Frappart also had two women as assistants — Neuza Back of Brazil and Karen Diaz Medina of Mexico — to complete an all-female refereeing team on the field.
Black rhino populations are starting to thrive in Zimbabwe for the first time in decades
The rhino population in Zimbabwe has surpassed more than 1,000 animals for the first time in more than 30 years, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
India’s maternal mortality ratio declines 25% between 2016 and 2020
The country’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) witnessed a decline by 6 points at 97 per lakh live births in 2018-2020, from 130 in 2014-16.
U.S. regulators approve world’s largest-ever dam demolition and river restoration project in California
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s unanimous vote is the last major regulatory hurdle and the biggest milestone for a $500 million demolition proposal championed by Native American tribes and environmentalists for years.
Canada expands its pollution pricing rules
The federal carbon price floor was a charge of CAN$40 per ton on carbon emissions in 2021, and this fee will rise to CAN$170 per ton by 2030.
A historic number of LGBTQ candidates in the U.S won their elections this year
According to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, a record of at least 340 out LGBTQ people won – beating 2020’s record of 336 for the most in US history.
Israel and Jordan agree to team up to save Jordan River
The agreement, struck at COP27 in Egypt, where world leaders are discussing how to mitigate the climate crisis, marks an important, albeit initial, step in cooperation.
After 14 years of advocacy, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s president signs new Indigenous peoples law
The country’s Indigenous pygmy people are now legally recognized as a distinct people with rights and must consent before the government and industries can exploit their land.