This week’s good climate news
With so much still to do to slow warming and avoid the worst impacts of climate change, it’s important to fortify ourselves by celebrating wins along the way.
Robot fish built to clean up the oceans
Microplastics pose a large threat to the environment and human health and this new solution uses bionic robo-fish to track down these tiny particles. The robotic fish swim independently, latch on to microplastics and can even repair themselves, if necessary.
Despite their tiny size of 3 mm, these robo-fish can pull 5 kilograms (or 11 pounds) of material. This sustainable, scalable solution is made with nanotechnology and could prove helpful in reducing our oceans’ microplastics.
Bears Ears returns to its Native roots
“The spirit of the people never leaves.” Native American tribes are returning to Utah's Bears Ears National Monument — and not just in spirit. Five tribes will co-manage the 1.3 million acres of land. Officials hope the partnership “will serve as a model” for the future.
The Zuni Pueblo tribe, the Hopi, the Navajo Nation, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation will manage the monument.
FedEx deploys electric fleet
FedEx’s southern California fleet now has 150 electric delivery vehicles! Each truck has a range of about 250 miles when charged and more than 500 charging stations are available in the state. FedEx plans to purchase 2,500 more EVs over the coming years and we’re excited to see other delivery companies follow this leading example.
FedEx plans for all of their delivery vehicles to be electric by 2040. Amazon has set its sights on 100,000 EVs delivering their packages by 2030.
Electric vehicle charging coming to a utility pole near you (if you live in Seattle)
Utility pole electric vehicle chargers are coming to Seattle, thanks to the city’s utility company! City residents can request a public EV charging station in front of their home.
This follows in the path of a similar program launched in Melrose, Massachusetts, in May. It should allow those who live without access to off-street parking to charge their EVs.
Expansion of wind power off the East Coast
President Biden’s climate plans include bolstering offshore wind and this new partnership sets out to do just that. The White House and governors of East Coast states are joining forces to “provide Americans with cleaner and cheaper energy, create good-paying jobs and invest billions in new American energy supply chains.”
The Biden administration's aims to have offshore wind power 10 million homes by 2030.
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