IKEA put 1 million solar panels on 370 stores in 2019
In 2019, IKEA invested $2.8 billion in renewable energy infrastructure. IKEA put 1 million solar panels on 370 0f its stores and warehouses, and also built 535 wind turbines and 2 solar parks.
2020 C.E.
First brown bear for 150 years seen in national park in northern Spain
“Years of conservation work in the Invernadeiro national park have allowed it to become a suitable habitat for the brown bear.”
Iceland ends minke whale hunting for good
For the second year in a row, Iceland’s two whaling companies will skip the annual whale hunt. One of the companies, IP-Utgerd, which specializes in the hunting of minke whales have announced they will never hunt whales again.
World’s first electric air taxi service set to launch in California by 2021
Quantum Air announced plans to launch what it’s calling a world’s first — an air taxi service using a fleet of 26 all-electric flying taxis to shuttle passengers between major points in the greater Los Angeles area.
Sudan to outlaw female genital mutilation
Sudan has one of the highest rates of FGM in the world. According to the UN, 87% of Sudanese women have undergone the practice.
Malaysia close to attaining malaria-free status after reporting no cases since 2018
Malaysia has not recorded any domestic malaria cases since 2018 after recording than 5,000 cases in 2010. If it succeeds in preventing more cases, Malaysia would be eligible to apply for malaria-free status certification from the World Health Organization in 2021.
Pakistan to hire more than 60,000 workers for 10 Billion Tree Tsunami program
The ambitious five-year tree-planting program was launched in 2018 to combat climate change. The new jobs also provide much-needed economic stimulus amid the country’s COVID-19 lockdown.
Canada to ban assault-style weapons
Canada’s government is set to announce a ban on assault-style weapons following a deadly shooting in Nova Scotia this month that killed 22 people.
FDA to authorize remdesivir for COVID-19 treatment after trial shows ‘positive effect’
The government-funded study found that patients who took remdesivir recovered faster than patients who did not, potentially freeing up more hospital beds amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Oxford University bans investment in fossil fuels after student campaigns
In a motion passed by Oxford’s governing body, the Congregation, which is made up of 5,500 academic and administrative members, the university is now required to cut all ties with fossil fuel firms and end future investment in these companies.