New global coral bleaching event

Happy Sunday!

Tomorrow (22 April) is Earth Day. 🌎️ 

The day was started by an American senator in 1970 to promote environmental policies across the nation. This date was chosen to coincide with school and university holidays to maximise the participation of students.

It led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Acts.

Earth Day went global in 1990, encouraging 141 countries to protect the environment. Find out more about the day and what you can do to celebrate!

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

4th global bleaching event occurring

What’s happening: Scientists announced significant coral bleaching in each ocean across both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. This is the fourth such event on record, and the second in the last decade. Between February and April, mass bleaching of coral reefs has been confirmed across the world, including Florida in the US, the Caribbean, Brazil, the eastern Tropical Pacific, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, large areas in the South Pacific, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Aden.

Why it’s happening: Climate change is causing the world’s oceans to warm, with March being the tenth month in a row with record temperatures in the atmosphere and surface ocean. Coral bleaching occurs when the oceans become too warm for the coral. If the event is long and severe enough, it can cause the coral to die either immediately or later as a result of the ocean heat. Some species of coral may recover over time.

Why it’s important: Coral reefs are crucial for the health of our oceans. Over a billion people either directly or indirectly rely on them for their livelihoods as they provide food, income, and coastal protection from storms and floods. They also support at least 25% of all marine species at some point during their lifecycle. The first global bleaching coral event was recorded in 1998, but the events are becoming more frequent as a result of the cumulative effects of global warming. Decreasing the greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming is the only way to decrease the frequency of these events. In the meantime, management plans, research, and global partnerships are needed to protect coral reefs as much as possible

🤔 Another perspective: Global coral bleaching caused by global warming demands a global response

California hits major renewable power milestones

What’s happening: The US state has set a major benchmark for clean energy supply, with more than 100% of demand on their main grid being met by wind, solar, and hydro power for periods between 15 minutes and six hours for 30 out of 38 days during March and April. Additional milestones keep coming, including just solar exceeding 100% of all demand for 15 minutes, and all renewables providing more than 100% of demand for nearly seven hours one day, hitting a peak supply of 132.1%.

Why it’s happening: California is one of the leading US states with ambitious clean energy targets. The state set benchmarks last year to reach 90% clean electricity by 2035, and 95% by 2040. This will help California reach their previously developed policy of 100% clean electricity by 2045 via solar, wind, and clean geothermal sources.

Why it’s important: Developing clean energy is key to reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, one of the main causes of global warming. Switching to renewable energy also reduces the amount of pollution in the air and leads to better health outcomes for people. Air pollution from fossil fuels caused $2.9 trillion in health and economic costs, about $8 billion a day, in 2018 according to the UN. As an additional benefit, renewables are unlimited sources of energy, which reduces and eventually eliminates the current dependence on imported fuels.

🌐 Discover Casa Battló in Barcelona

Marvel at Gaudí’s masterpiece

Unique architectural wonder: The renowned Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí was ahead of his time, inspired by nature and sustainable practices when designing this apartment complex.

😇 People doing great things

Providing clean water in the Gaza Strip

Solar panels powering wells: Most of the wells in Gaza aren’t running due to the destruction of infrastructure and lack of electricity. The UN reported in February that 70% of the people in Gaza were drinking contaminated water. Mohammed Assalia paid for an engineer to set up his own well with solar panels. He shared the water with his neighbours, filling up his car with 6,500 litres of clean water and distributing it to at least 1,000 people every day. Wanting to do even more, he formed a group of people to engineer the cleaning of water in other wells. The volunteers are alternative energy engineer Khalil Samara, solar panel welder Mohammed Hajj-Ali, and experienced well plumber Masoud Nabhan. He also set up a local fundraiser to raise the money required for the solar panels and other materials, which have skyrocketed to about four times the pre-war prices due to the Israeli blockades.

⭐️ Weekly inspiration

Seven countries are now 100% powered by renewables

Record year of wind installations, while solar leads growth: 2023 indicates the world is taking much needed action to combat climate change.

Texas darkens skyscrapers to save billions of birds

Turning the lights off: Billions of migratory birds are now more likely to reach their destination after a policy was implemented to switch off the lights at night.

Helping dormice survive in the forest

The cutest story: After removing diseased ash trees in an ancient English forest, two 20-metre rope bridges were built to help dormice travel safely.

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