Happy Wednesday 👋

Rain is more than just a simple weather event…

…it’s a life-giving force with environmental, agricultural, and social significance!

And even more than that, it could just be the new, innovative way to generate clean energy.

Scientists have just discovered a way to convert the kinetic energy of falling raindrops into electricity. 

And while still in the research phase, it holds great promise for a more sustainable energy future!

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

• Generating electricity from falling water droplets 💧
• How the US is cracking down on plastic pollution 🥤
• Protecting the rights of environmental features 🚣‍♂️
• Discussion of the week: protecting ocean life 💬
• And more… 💚

💧 How Scientists Generate Electricity From Rain

1️⃣ The big picture: Researchers from the National University of Singapore have developed a way to generate electricity from falling water droplets, offering a new potential source of clean energy. The researchers focused on a specific water flow pattern called “plug flow,” where droplets move through a tube, creating short columns of water interspersed with pockets of air. This setup helps separate electrical charges, which are then harvested using wires placed at the top and bottom of the tube. The energy generated by this process was enough to light up 12 LEDs.

2️⃣ Why is this good news: Generating electricity from rain offers several key benefits that could contribute significantly to the future of clean, renewable energy. First, rain provides an untapped source of energy that could complement existing renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Second, rain energy could be particularly useful in urban environments by allowing cities to harness renewable energy without taking up additional land or space. And third, generating electricity from rain has a minimal environmental impact compared to conventional energy sources like coal or natural gas.

3️⃣ What’s next: This energy harvesting method could be implemented on rooftops or in urban environments, offering a simpler and potentially more sustainable alternative to traditional hydroelectric power plants, especially in areas with smaller volumes of water. With further research, this technique could enable rain to be harnessed as a reliable source of renewable energy.

📢 More Good News…

☀️ South Korea unveils the world’s first invisible solar panels:

• South Korea has unveiled the world’s first fully transparent, wire-free solar panel, which is essentially invisible to the human eye. 
• The invisible solar panel is capable of achieving a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.7%, making it highly efficient for generating electricity. Unlike traditional solar panels that absorb visible light, this panel captures ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) light, which are then converted into electricity.
• While this transparent solar technology holds great promise, challenges such as manufacturing complexity and cost remain. However, ongoing research into advanced materials like perovskites is helping to reduce these hurdles.

🥤 How the US is cracking down on plastic pollution: 

• The US has introduced its first comprehensive plastic regulations, which includes setting national microplastic measurement standards, banning federal purchases of single-use plastics by 2035, and supporting extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs.

• The rollout will be phased over the next decade, with early action in 2025, and potential economic benefits including $8 billion in annual savings by 2030 through better recycling and less waste.
• This policy shift aligns with global efforts to finalize a UN plastic treaty by the end of 2024, and the U.S. now supports plastic production limits after initially resisting them. If adopted, these measures could reduce health risks, plastic waste, and greenhouse gas emissions from new production facilities.

 🚣‍♂️ Protecting the rights of environmental features: 

• Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari, a 57-year-old Indigenous leader from the Kukama community in Peru, has won the Goldman Environmental Prize for leading a groundbreaking legal campaign that granted the Marañon River legal personhood.
• Representing the Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana (HKK) women’s association, she helped secure a court ruling in 2024 declaring the river’s right to flow freely and be protected from contamination—honoring Indigenous beliefs that view the river as a living entity.
• The ruling has been upheld despite appeals by the Peruvian government, and Canaquiri remains determined to emphasize the importance of protecting the environment for the future of all.

💬 Discussion of the Week: Adopting Eco-Friendly Habits That Protect Ocean Life

Welcome to our new section, where we spark meaningful discussions about everyday topics that can create a real positive impact in our lives!

This week’s discussion topic: How can we adopt eco-friendly habits that protect ocean life?

• What are some eco-friendly habits you think could help protect our oceans, and why are they important?
• In what ways do you believe personal choices impact marine ecosystems, and what are some examples you might share?
• Are there any organizations or movements you’re aware of that work towards ocean conservation, and why might they be good to support?

I’d love to hear your stories and tips, so we can inspire each other to preserve our ocean environments!

For our founding community members, keep the conversation going in our forum here.

Want to join our community when we reopen? Just reply to this email—I’d love to personally add you to our waitlist so you’ll be the first to know all about it 💚

🤝 Important Awareness Events At a Glance

🎨 April 21, World Creativity and Innovation Day:

• World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) was founded on May 25, 2001, in Toronto, Canada, by Marci Segal to raise awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human life and development. 
• Since then, the event has grown to become a week-long celebration (World Creativity and Innovation Week), with Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday marking the beginning every year (April 15).

🐀 April 24, World Day for Laboratory Animals: 

• In 1979, the National Anti-Vivisection Society established World Day for Laboratory Animals to call for an end to the outdated practice of animal testing and research. 
• It is a time for animal rights organizations to urge government officials, licensing bodies, scientists, and other stakeholders to achieve progress for animals used in laboratories.

🌳 April 25, Arbor Day: 

• The first Arbor Day was observed in 1872 in Nebraska with the planting of almost one million trees.
• Today, the holiday is still celebrated with tree planting, along with other environment-centric activities. The goal is to bring awareness to the impact of trees and plants on the health of our environment and our own well-being.

Related: You can discover all the 123 most important awareness events (for the month, days, weeks) in our awareness calendar for April 2025!

📜 These Days in History

✍️ April 23, 1564: Although it is impossible to be certain about his exact date of birth, many scholars believe that English dramatist and poet William Shakespeare was born on this date. He would go on to become one of the most prolific and famous playwrights of all time.

⛴️ April 25, 1859: Construction on the Suez Canal, an artificial waterway to connect the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, began in Egypt. Today, dozens of ships navigate the canal every day, carrying more than 300 tons of goods a year.

💭 Quote of the Day

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”

― William Shakespeare; English playwright, poet, actor, and theater entrepreneur

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

Stay impactful 💚