Huge renewable project approved

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For anyone with us for the first time, welcome to Voyage Green News! We provide a weekly dose of news and inspiration for a sustainable life. 💚 

♻️ This week’s sustainability news

Australia’s biggest renewable project gains approval

What’s happening: The Australian government has approved the first stage of a huge renewable energy project. This project plans to send energy from a solar farm in the Northern Territory to Singapore using underwater cables. Tanya Plibersek, the environment minister, said the approval under conservation law of SunCable’s $30 billion-plus Australia-Asia Power Link was a “massive step towards making Australia a renewable energy superpower” and that the project would be “economically and socially transformational” for the Northern Territory.

Why it’s happening: Supported by technology billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of the Australian software company Atlassian, SunCable plans to build a large solar farm on old farmland between Elliot and Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. They will also set up an 800km power line to Darwin and 4,300km of underwater cables to send electricity to Singapore.

Why it’s important: The project is aiming to build the largest solar precinct in the world, which would signal Australia’s emergence as a world leader in clean energy. It should make enough electricity for three million homes and create 14,300 jobs during the peak of building. While incredibly exciting, we’re just in the early stages of the project. A final decision on the investment is not expected before 2027, and electricity is expected to start being supplied in the 2030s. The company said its next steps would involve continuing talks with Indigenous landowners about land use agreements and working with officials in Singapore and Indonesia on its undersea cable plans.

Massive amounts of cropland freed with a flexitarian diet

What’s happening: A new report says the United States could make food more efficiently if half of the protein people eat came from plants or other non-meat sources instead of meat or dairy. The report calculates that if Americans ate half as much meat and replaced it with plant-based foods, we would need 47.3 million fewer acres of farmland to produce the same amount of protein.

Why it’s happening: The Good Food Institute (GFI), a nonprofit group, created the report. They support the growth of alternative proteins. The report was produced to demonstrate how switching to a plant-based diet can help the environment and the climate.

Why it’s important: The saved farmland is about the size of South Dakota and would offer great opportunities for capturing carbon and supporting wildlife, says GFI. They believe that if this land wasn't used for farming, it could be turned into areas that absorb carbon or help restore endangered ecosystems. This would help the climate in addition to reducing emissions from animal farming, like manure and cow burps. A massive amount of land is used for farming in the US. More than 60% of the land in the US is used for agriculture, and 21% of that is for growing crops. Most of these crops — 78% — are grown to feed animals. The GFI report says we don't need to grow more plants to make more alternative proteins. Instead, the US can meet its protein needs by growing fewer crops. We should focus on using more of the crops we already grow, like soy, grain, corn, barley, oats, and sorghum, for people to eat.

📖 Read the report: Transforming land use: Alternative proteins for US climate and biodiversity success

🌐 Travel to Mexico

Explore the stunning Lacandón jungle

A rainforest full of wonder: Located in Chiapas, the area has rich biodiversity, amazing ruins, and fascinating culture preserved since Maya times. We’ve shared our experience and everything you need to visit in our new article.

😇 People doing great things

Palestinian develops solar-powered desalination device

Making seawater drinkable: Amid the devastating Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, water is in short supply. Palestinian engineer Enas Al-Ghoul has created a solar-powered device which can desalinate seawater and remove other contaminants to make it safe for drinking. The device uses recycled materials which can be found nearby, such as wood, glass and tarpaulins. To top it off, it’s easy to use and can be transported where it’s needed most. It can be made in different sizes to be accommodated wherever it’s needed, such as in shelters or on people’s rooftops. While everyone waits for the much-needed ceasefire, people in Gaza are relying on their ingenuity and resilience to help each other survive. Watch the video to see Enas demonstrating her device.

⭐️ Weekly inspiration

Conveyor belt road in Japan to slash transport emissions

500km between Tokyo and Osaka: Goods will be transported on belts running down the middle of highways or through underground tunnels in automated, driverless electric vehicles running 24 hours a day, which could carry the same amount of cargo as 25,000 trucks.

Florida is doing the world’s biggest restoration project

A massive freshwater reservoir: At 10,100 acres in the heart of Everglades National Park, bigger than Manhattan and Staten Island combined, it will bring a secure, long-term supply of clean drinking water to Florida’s residents.

Apple pledged up to $1 million to America’s parks

From 19 August to 25 August: To celebrate the 108th birthday of the National Park Service, Apple donated $10 for each purchase made via Apple Pay at an Apple Store, App Store, or at apple.com to the National Park Foundation.

Unique sustainable 3D printed community centre

Being built in Tanzania: Hassell, in collaboration with Australian-based charity foundation One Heart, are building the centre for the Hope Village in eastern Tanzania from locally-sourced soil within 25km instead of concrete.

Underwater sculptures focus on climate change

Located in the Caribbean: Titled “A World Adrift”, the underwater sculptural exhibition is the work of British artist Jason deCaires Taylor who wants to highlight the dangers of climate change for the West Indies.

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