Happy Thursday 👋

Here are the impactful insights that I have for you today:

• A miracle material that helps smash the world solar efficiency record 🌞
• The EU agrees to stop plastic waste exports ♻
• Let’s support the White Ribbon Day to help eliminate violence against women ♀️
• And more… 💚

Have you heard about the latest solar-related world record yet?

I’m especially happy to share this one with you as it increased solar energy efficiency to new heights! 

And that means that we could make solar energy not just more efficient but also cheaper and more accessible!

All thanks to a mineral called perovskite…

🌞 Smashing Records: The ‘Miracle Material’ Revolutionizing Solar Panels

1️⃣ The big picture: A groundbreaking achievement in solar technology has been made by a team from Longi, a Chinese solar technology firm. They’ve set a new world record for solar panel efficiency, reaching an impressive 33.9% efficiency. This surpasses the previous record and even breaks the theoretical efficiency limit of standard single-junction cells found in commercial solar panels. This advancement is a significant leap in solar energy technology, showcasing the potential of perovskite to enhance solar panel performance.

2️⃣ Why is this good news: This breakthrough is a major step forward in renewable energy technology. They use a silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell. And this use of perovskite, a highly abundant mineral, in tandem with silicon, allows for more electricity generation from the same area and light absorption. This means solar panels can be more efficient, potentially reducing the cost and space required for solar installations.

3️⃣ What’s next: The next steps involve moving this technology from the laboratory to mass production. UK startup Oxford PV, a spin-out from the University of Oxford, is already working towards commercializing this technology with plans to start full-scale production in Germany. The development of ultra-efficient perovskite solar panels, which are expected to be 50% cheaper and more efficient than traditional silicon cells, could revolutionize the solar industry, making renewable energy more accessible and sustainable.

Related: Check out The History of Solar Energy: The Big Picture to learn more about this fascinating technology!

📢 More Good News…

♻ EU agrees to stop plastic waste exports to non-OECD nations unable to process it:

• The European Union (EU) has reached an agreement to stop exports of plastic waste and to stop exporting their waste to poorer countries.
• Plastic waste export rules for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries will be made stricter as well. 

🎉 Mammal named after David Attenborough rediscovered after 60 years:

• After a month-long expedition, a research team from Oxford University has finally spotted Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna right on the day of their expedition. 
• The last documentation of this species, named after the esteemed naturalist Sir David Attenborough, dates back to 1961.
• These nocturnal egg-laying mammals are critically endangered and have experienced population declines of at least 80% since the 1960s. However, this reemergence instills a sense of hope and has the potential to contribute towards the preservation of biodiversity in the Cyclops Mountains, where the Attenborough echidna was located.

🌳 New research suggests plants might be able to absorb more CO₂ from human activities than previously expected:

• Recent studies indicate that global flora may possess a greater capacity to absorb CO₂ from human activities than previously understood.
• Dr. Jürgen Knauer, who led the research team at Western Sydney University, clarifies that they took into consideration plant mechanisms that are often overlooked. These include the efficiency of carbon dioxide passage through leaf surfaces and how plants react to temperature changes, aspects that are frequently omitted in most global models.
• Despite this, the environmental scientists behind this are quick to note that this does not mean tree-planting is a golden-bullet solution, but that their research does further prove the benefits to conserving nature.

♀️ Event of the Week: White Ribbon Day

👉 Did you know that this Saturday, November 25, is White Ribbon Day? Also known as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, this event was founded in 1991 to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls.

1️⃣ The big picture: White Ribbon Day was set up by a group of men in Canada to address the issue of violence against women. Today, the event is a global movement to remind us that violence against women is a societal issue, not just a woman’s issue. The white ribbon is a symbol of men’s commitment to ending violence against women and girls, pledging for them to be a solution to the problem. White Ribbon Day also marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence that runs until International Human Rights Day (December 10). 

2️⃣ Why is this important: Globally, an estimated 736 million women have been subjected to sexual and physical violence. This equates to 1 in every 3 women aged 15 and over. Yet, less than 40% of these women seek help because of a lack of resources and education, as well as the fear of their feelings not being validated. Furthermore, school-related gender-based violence is a significant barrier to educational opportunities for girls. And, since the COVID-19 pandemic, 10 million additional girls around the world are at risk of child marriage over the next decade.

3️⃣ How can you get involved: The theme for White Ribbon Day 2023 is #ChangeTheStory, so women and girls can live their lives free from violence. You can get involved in this campaign by wearing a white ribbon to raise awareness of the issue of gender-based violence or by making the White Ribbon Promise. Alternatively, you can set up your own fundraising event, donate directly to the White Ribbon charity, or simply show support to the women in your life.

Additionally, you can check out the organizations below that are dedicated to protecting the rights of women and girls around the world:

• 10 Best Charities for Female Education
• 9 Best Charities for Women’s Empowerment
• 9 Best Charities That Fight for Women’s Safety
• 9 Best Charities for Women’s Rights

📜 This Week in History

📚 November 23, 1936: The first issue of Life was published, and the magazine later became a pioneer in photojournalism and one of the major forces in that field’s development.

♀️ November 24, 2001: The Grand National Assembly of Turkey ratified changes to the country’s legal code that made women equal to men before the law and no longer subject to their husbands.

👩🏻‍⚕️🎖 November 26, 1832: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was one of the few female surgeons in the United States during the 19th century. On this day, she became the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor for her service during the American Civil War.

💭 Quote of the Week

“Let the generations know that women in uniform also guaranteed their freedom,”
― Dr. Mary Edwards Walker; American surgeon, abolitionist, women’s rights activist, and the only female Medal of Honor recipient

Share the news with your friends to make a bigger positive impact on the world and society!

Stay impactful 💚