More than 90% of global new renewable energy capacity is now cheaper than fossil fuels

More than 90% of global new renewable energy capacity is now cheaper than fossil fuels

The global switch to renewable energy has passed a “positive tipping point,” according to two United Nations reports. Solar is now 41% cheaper than fossil fuels worldwide. Not long ago, it was four times the cost. Offshore wind is now also 53% cheaper and the most affordable source of new renewable energy. Even more, costs for renewables are expected to keep dropping as technology matures and supply chains strengthen.

Benin grants citizenship to descendants of enslaved people

Citizenship of the West African nation is now open to anyone above 18 who doesn’t already hold other African citizenship and can provide proof that an ancestor was deported via the slave trade from anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Beninese kings actively participated in capturing and selling enslaved people to Portuguese, French, and British merchants. Benin has long been working to reconcile with its legacy of complicity. It has openly acknowledged its role in the slave trade, a stance not shared by many other African nations that participated.

Court strikes down nation of Saint Lucia’s homosexuality ban

For years, the Caribbean island nation’s gross indecency and buggery laws have criminalized same-sex relations, even in private. Under those laws, consensual male homosexuality could be punished with up to ten years’ imprisonment. Even attempting to “commit buggery” could be met with a sentence of five years. Now, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has ruled that the law violates the rights to privacy, life, liberty, security of the person, freedom of expression, protection from discrimination on the basis of sex, and protection of the law.

Virginia becomes first U.S. state to recognize autonomous midwifery practice

Autonomous midwifery practice enables midwives to conduct their professional work by providing evidence-based, high-quality, and ethical care across pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, as well as providing other reproductive health care. Now, Virginia midwives can not only practice autonomously but also receive 100% free schedule reimbursement from private insurance and Medicaid. They can also serve on a 24-hour on-call duty roster for nursery care when physicians are unavailable, addressing staffing shortages in rural areas.

Portugal announces a massive new marine protected area

The new marine protected area covers 38,000 square miles surrounding the Gorringe Ridge, home to 850 marine species. The Gorringe Ridge is the tallest seamount—a large submarine volcanic mountain—in Western Europe, and is known for its biodiversity. Among its most famous inhabitants are “soft corals,” or gorgonians, and deep-sea sponges, which call the 1,100 reefs found throughout the ridge home. Portugal has now raised its percentage of total protected territorial waters from 19% to 27%.

For the first time in history, renewables become the world’s cheapest source of energy (2020 C.E.)

In a critical turning point for climate action, nearly two-thirds of renewable energy projects that came online worldwide in 2020 – 62% – were cheaper than the cheapest new fossil fuel, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). This is double the equivalent share for 2019, showing just how rapidly the transition to clean, renewable, climate-friendly energy sources is happening.

Humanity achieves 100% renewable energy (2050 C.E. ???)

In a historic milestone for climate action, the global community completes a stunning transformation in how we power our lives and economies, in just a matter of decades. By sourcing all the world's energy for heating, cooling, transport, and electricity from green sources, we save billions of human and non-human lives and help ensure a livable, sustainable planet for generations to come.

Help prevent famine in Gaza with a matched donation

From International Rescue Committee: An estimated half a million Palestinians are at risk of starvation, and IRC teams are seeing a clear rise in malnutrition among children. There is a critical risk of famine. With aid access severely limited, the IRC and its partners are responding where we can to provide nutrition, clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services, along with child protection in some of the hardest-hit areas. For a limited time, all gifts are matched. Donate.

Peter Schulte I help people who care deeply about the world make a truly meaningful contribution – without the burnout, overwhelm, and impostor syndrome. Bellingham WA USA | About | Instagram | Donate