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.

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A row of white, electric delivery vans

Mercedes to build electric van plant

Mercedes-Benz plans to build the automaker's first plant devoted to electric van production in Poland, which will create 2,500 new jobs. The company will invest 1.3 billion euros toward the global transition to zero-emission transportation.

Mathias Geisen, head of Mercedes Benz's van operations, called these electric delivery vans “the vehicles of the future.”

Overhead shot of a large row of shipping containers

EU votes to curb deforestation-linked products

The European Union imposed strict restrictions on imports linked to deforestation, like palm oil, cocoa and rubber. This provisional agreement requires companies to monitor their supply chains and track product origins to protect biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Companies will also have to ensure local communities were not harmed by the imported goods.

It's a visual of a fusion reaction, but it kind of looks like a fancy version of one of those Rorschach tests - I see a space owl

DOE gets an in-fusion of energy

The Department of Energy made history by producing more energy from a nuclear fusion reaction than was consumed! While there is much to do to bring fusion energy to scale and turn this into a reliable clean energy source, we’re applauding this unprecedented scientific milestone.

The DOE is preparing to award research grants to private companies to help plan the first fusion power plant.

A manatee swimming in clear waters

Manatees will be fed and full this holiday season

Since temperatures are dropping, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fed manatees in Florida impacted by starvation for the second year in a row. Manatees are burdened with a plethora of threats, and growers and donors came together to fund initial shipments of butter and romaine lettuce.

A more permanent solution to restore seagrass is also underway, but that will require time and effort, so the 100 tons of lettuce will have to suffice for now.

A scenic shot of desert dunes

Morocco makes big push to lead in renewable energy

For over a decade, Morocco has been proving itself an emerging climate leader with two renewable energy mega projects. Already, the country hosts the largest solar farm in the world, which produces enough power for 1.3 million people, plus one of the largest wind farms in Africa, the Tarfaya wind farm.

Morocco is a prime example for other countries looking to expand their clean energy capacity.

A high-up shot of a lake surrounded by lots of green hills

NASA launches satellite to study Earth's surface water

A NASA mission launched this week will conduct a comprehensive, high-definition study of earth’s oceans, lakes and rivers using an advanced radar satellite. This will be the first mission to study all the surface water of Earth.

The unprecedented view of the world’s surface water will shine a light on climate risks and impacts. The satellite should begin producing data in the next few months. 

Let’s take action on climate together