The UN Convention on Biological Diversity has published a 20-point draft plan to avert sixth mass extinction of species. The plan aims to organize conservation and restoration of crucial ecosystems and wildlife by 2030.
Read the full story on The Guardian:
Link to United Nations Environment Program UNEP report regarding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
The European Union has unveiled trillion-euro plan to finance Green Deal and to make EU carbon neutral by 2050.
Read the full story on Euronews.com:
Peru will plant one million trees around the world-famous archeological site Machu Picchu in order to protect it from mud slides and forest fires.
Read the full story on France24.com:
https://www.france24.com/en/20200109-peru-to-plant-one-million-trees-around-machu-picchu
Turkey has launched an innovative and comprehensive Zero Waste project that helps to increase recycling and reduce waste also in the maritime areas.
Read more about the Zero Waste project on Daily Sabah:
In 2015, Finland proposed an idea that year 2020 would be International Year of Plant Health. In 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RED/73/252 declaring year 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health.
“The year is a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development.”
Reference and More information:
Garbage Cafe in Ambikapur, India, gives a hot meal in exchange for plastic waste.
Read the full story on The Guardian:
Benban plant, one of the world’s largest solar parks, has been opened near southern Egyptian city of Aswan. Benban has brought down the price of solar energy and it has also given an economic boost to southern Egypt.(1) Earlier this year, Wold Bank announced that the Benban solar project won the best project prize worldwide (2).
References:
1) “Giant solar park in the desert jump starts Egypt’s renewables push” Reuters 17.12.2019:
2) “Egypt’s Benban solar project wins best project prize worldwide: World Bank” Egypt Independent 21.3.2019
Kenyan environmental scientist Hope Wakio Mwanake manufactures construction materials from plastic and glass waste in the company she co-founded, Eco Blocks and Tiles.
Read the full story on Al Jazeera:
https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/kenyan-scientist-throw-plastics-build-homes-191213191145227.html
Information about Eco Blocks and Tiles:
UN climate conference COP 25 ended in Madrid during the weekend. UN Secretary-General António Guterres tweeted (1):
“I am disappointed with the results of #COP25.
The international community lost an important opportunity to show increased ambition on mitigation, adaptation & finance to tackle the climate crisis.
But we must not give up, and I will not give up.”
More information about the COP25 results:
1) “Progress made at COP25, despite lack of agreement to increase climate amibition” UN News 15.12.2019
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/12/1053561
2) “UN climate talks in Madrid ended without resolving their toughest issue” Vox 15.12.2019
https://www.vox.com/2019/12/15/21022674/cop25-madrid-climate-change-greta-thunberg
3) “COP25: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Madrid” CarbonBrief 15.12.2019
https://www.carbonbrief.org/cop25-key-outcomes-agreed-at-the-un-climate-talks-in-madrid
In July, Ethiopia set a new world record by planting over 350 million trees in a day.
Read the full story on UN Environment Programme website:
IDIS Observer 