Chile elects its first transgender official to their national legislature
Trans woman and activist Emilia Schneider became the first trans person to win an election to the Chilean legislature this week.
Nations
Kenya’s Indigenous Ogiek partner with government rangers to restore Mau Forest
Three years ago, community members started working with the Kenyan Forest Service to restore the forest complex and promote sustainable livelihoods. Volunteers have now planted more than 60,000 native trees within the forest,
Jaguar populations in Mexico are growing, a sign that conservation strategies are working
The first surveys to count jaguars in Mexico revealed a 20% increase in the population from 2010 to 2018, up to 4,800 animals.
Indonesia declares largest manta ray sanctuary in the world
Indonesia, a nation that has been the world’s largest fishery for sharks and rays for decades, has announced legislation that will fully protect all manta rays within its nearly 6 million square km exclusive economic zone.
Portugal becomes fourth E.U. country to stop using coal plants
The Pego plant located 90 miles northeast of Lisbon stopped generating over the weekend, as Portugal became the fourth E.U. country to stop burning coal to produce electricity.
U.S. Education Department announces $2 billion of student loans will be cancelled within weeks
Borrowers who are pursuing public service student loan forgiveness will be able to count previously ineligible student loan payments, get credit for late student loan payments that were late, and more.
India greatly enhances solar module manufacturing incentive
India has increased its incentive package for solar module manufacturing by a factor of 5, to $3 billion. This scheme is part of India’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in renewable power equipment.
Ecuador will expand the marine reserve encircling the Galápagos Islands
The current Galápagos Marine Reserve covers 133,000 square kilometers. The extension protects an additional 60,000 km2, protecting an important migration route for hammerhead sharks and leatherback turtles.
Bhutan, Suriname, and Panama are now “carbon-negative,” absorbing more emissions than they produce
What they have in common is strong protection of their carbon-absorbing forests alongside increasingly tough measures to hold down climate-changing emissions.
33 countries and 11 automakers pledge no new fossil fuel powered cars by 2040
In the latest announcement from COP26, nations, automakers, and local governments have pledged to ensure that all new cars are zero emission by 2040, and no later than 2035 in “leading markets.”