🌱 The Grumpy Optimists #135
🌱 The Grumpy Optimists #135
The Grumpy Optimists is back from its summer holiday...
Happy Monday. 👋
Welcome back to the first Grumpy Optimists after a short summer break and a chance to recover from a hectic year so far. I appreciate your patience. Be ready for your bi-weekly positive news to restart.
🌴 Holiday thoughts
At the start of September, I had the chance to spend a week in Croatia, and while the scenery was breathtaking, it was also evident why this summer has been the hottest on record across Europe. Locals we spoke to mentioned that it had only rained a few days all summer, leaving them crying out for ‘British weather’ aka, rain, to help their olive crops grow, as they endured the relentless heat.
Beyond being an incredible opportunity to explore the stunning seas through diving, the trip also gave me a deeper understanding of the environmental changes happening around us and why things like olive oil have doubled in price. I often feel a smidge of guilt when I travel, knowing the emissions that come with it, but the last week helped me appreciate the value of travel in fostering a sense of connection to the world and reaffirming the reason I spend my time trying to help organisations decarbonise.
👇🏻 This week’s blog
Anyway, this week, I’m covering record-breaking renewable energy projects, innovative climate solutions, legal battles over fossil fuels and the growing public demand for urgent climate action.
P.S. My readership always drops after a few weeks of not posting, so if you could share this post with a friend or colleague or, if you don’t enjoy it, someone you hate, it also works for me.
👀 Articles to read
🌍 UK secures record 131 renewable energy projects in biggest auction yet. In its latest renewables auction, the UK government awarded contracts for 131 green energy projects, powering 11 million homes and advancing toward clean power by 2030.
⚖️ UK government won't challenge legal case against new oil fields. The government will not fight a legal challenge brought by environmental groups against oil drilling approvals in Rosebank and Jackdaw. If the review favours environmental groups, operators must resubmit environmental assessments, leading to delays and additional costs for companies like Equinor and Shell. If successful, it could set a precedent and shift the future of oil and gas development in the UK.
🪧 30,000 protest in South Korea demanding urgent climate action. Amid scorching temperatures, thousands protested in Seoul, accusing President Yoon’s administration of climate inaction. The protest follows a court ruling declaring South Korea’s climate laws insufficient to protect future generations. As climate change worsens, activists call for faster systemic change and accountability for major polluters.
⚡ South Australia powers ahead to 100% renewable energy by 2027. Once criticised for its renewable targets, South Australia now leads the world, with 75% wind and solar in 2023. The state’s bipartisan political commitment and technical innovation have turned it into a renewable energy leader, with a 100% net target set for 2027.
Their model shows that a swift transition to renewables is possible, offering hope and a blueprint for others.
♻️ Sustainable fashion meets beer waste with Arda Biomaterials' New Grain. Arda Biomaterials has teamed up with Beavertown Brewery to create accessories from spent barley grain, introducing "New Grain" — a sustainable alternative to leather. New Grain offers environmental benefits as well as being cool. It reduces CO2 emissions by 97% compared to leather and removes the need for the cow to produce leather altogether. Arda’s CEO, Brett Cotten, is a good friend, and I’m a big fan of their work.
🌾 Genetic 'goldmine' found in century-old wheat samples offers hope for sustainable crops. Researchers have discovered 60% of the genetic diversity missing in modern wheat strains in a collection dating back to the 1920s. This breakthrough could lead to higher yields, improved resilience, and more sustainable wheat production, crucial for feeding a growing global population.
🥩 Europe's food lobbies agree: Eat less meat for a sustainable future. A shared vision for EU agriculture acknowledges the need for urgent shifts toward plant-based diets. The report calls for better education, subsidy reforms, and financial support to help farmers transition, aiming for a just and sustainable food system.
💭 The consensus marks a significant turning point in how European agriculture can adapt to climate goals. However, real progress depends on policymakers’ courage to turn recommendations into action.
🌾 Verra rejects 37 Chinese rice cultivation projects, imposes sanctions. Verra, the nonprofit setting carbon market standards, rejected 37 rice projects in China for failing to meet its Verified Carbon Standard, marking an unprecedented action in the voluntary carbon market. With increasing pressure for carbon projects since an investigation found 90% of credits are worthless, seeing credits being rejected and a greater focus on the integrity of voluntary credits is good to see.
🗺️ Google launches tool to help cities fight extreme heat. Google’s new tool uses satellite data and AI to help urban areas, especially disadvantaged communities, mitigate extreme heat. It offers models showing how increasing tree cover or adding cool roofs can reduce land surface temperatures.
🌞 £17m boost for solar-powered lorry fridges to reduce emissions. Sunswap is leveraging £17m in new funding to replace diesel-powered refrigeration units on lorries with solar energy, reducing emissions from the logistics industry, which contributes around 19% of the UK's total road transport emissions. *Disclaimer: I think this company is incredibly cool, and I am an investor in a previous round.
🏭 UK to become first G7 country to end coal-powered electricity. The UK will soon close its last coal power plant, marking a major step in its goal to decarbonise its electricity supply by 2030. The shift reflects a dramatic reduction in coal use, from 80% in 1990 to just 1% in 2023.
🦅 Scientists teach bald ibises to migrate using microlight aircraft. What happens when birds lose their instincts and migration knowledge? In Germany, conservationists are flying alongside the ibises to guide them. This is just a cool story and an even better video.
🤝 Climates X Memes
That’s all for this week folks. For those of you who only come for the music recommendation, this is the best one of the year. The new Fontaines D.C. album is incredible. Listen from beginning to end, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
George, the Grumpy Optimist 💚
