Happy Thursday 👋

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

• Germany’s Emissions Reach a 70-Year Low 🇩🇪
• The EU makes sustainable products the norm ♻ 
• Conservation group buys out hunting rights to protect wildlife 💵
• And more… 💚

Just imagine we could share the same news for all countries…

I was super excited to hear about the record-low emissions from Germany, paired with an increase in renewable energy generation and a reduction of fossil fuel dependence!

Not just because I’m originally from Germany, but because that shows that climate action is possible 💚

Hopefully, this time around next year, we can report the same for many more countries 🤞

🇩🇪 Germany’s Emissions Reach a 70-Year Low: A Leap Toward a Greener Future

1️⃣ The big picture: Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has achieved a significant environmental milestone by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to a 70-year low. In 2023, the country emitted 673 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, which is 73 million tonnes fewer than in 2022. This remarkable decrease is largely attributed to a significant reduction in coal power generation, as reported by the thinktank Agora Energiewende. The shift away from coal and towards renewable energy sources marks a pivotal change in Germany’s energy landscape.

2️⃣ Why is this good news: The reduction in emissions is a testament to Germany’s commitment to combating climate change and transitioning to sustainable energy sources. In 2023, over 50% of Germany’s electricity generation came from renewable sources, while coal’s share dropped to 26% from 34%. This shift not only contributes to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gases but also sets a precedent for other nations in transitioning away from fossil fuels. Germany’s progress is particularly noteworthy given its initial increased reliance on coal following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent cut-off of gas supplies.

3️⃣ What’s next: Despite this progress, challenges remain. The thinktank Agora Energiewende estimates that only 15% of the reduction in 2023 constitutes permanent emissions savings. To meet its climate targets, Germany needs to invest heavily in modernizing its industry and reducing the carbon footprint from heating. The focus now shifts to ensuring that these emission reductions are sustainable and not just a result of temporary economic downturns. As Germany continues to work towards its goal of producing 80% of its electricity from wind and solar by 2030, the world watches closely to see how this leader in green energy navigates the path to a low-carbon future.

Related: Join the race to reduce your own carbon emissions by offsetting these with one of the 19 Best Carbon Offsets!

📢 More Good News…

♻ Deal on new EU rules to make sustainable products the norm:

• In honor of sustainability and to prevent textile waste, Parliament and Council negotiators agree to ban the destruction of unsold clothes and consumer products. 
• Any unsold goods that are destroyed would require annual reports to be made, and reveal the quantities of products discarded, as well as their reasons why. The Commission may also add additional items to the list of unsold products for which a destruction ban should be introduced.
• Large retail companies have 2 years to follow the new measure after the entry into force of the law, while medium sized enterprises have been granted up to six years to comply.

⚡ Germany reached 55% renewable energy in 2023:

• In 2023, 55% of Germany’s power came from renewables. 31% from wind, 12.1% from solar power and biomass, and 3.4% from a mixture of hydropower and other renewable sources.
• Germany’s emissions have also hit a 70-year low last year as Europe’s largest economy reduced its reliance on coal.
• Simon Müller, the director of Agora, said the renewables record brought Germany in line with its target to produce 80% of its electricity from wind and solar by 2030.
  

💵 A conservation group buys out hunting rights in B.C. rainforest to protect wildlife:

• The Raincoast Conservation Foundation, based in Sidney, B.C., has raised $1.92 million to buy forest tenures and help eliminate commercial trophy hunting in the Great Bear Rainforest.
• This purchase ensures there are healthy populations of animals all through the Great Bear Rainforest. This especially applies to many trophy species, which mainly consists of carnivorous animals that are imperative to healthy and diverse ecosystems, such as bears, wolves, and cougars.

🥕Event of the Month: Veganuary

👉 Did you know that this month is Veganuary? This event was founded in 2014 to inspire people around the world to adopt a vegan lifestyle and reduce their negative impact on the environment. 

1️⃣ The big picture: Veganuary was founded by Jane Land and Matthew Glover to encourage people to go vegan. This lifestyle change has been proven to reduce individual environmental impact, promote a greener planet, reduce food bills, increase human health, and promote kindness to animals. Today, the event has turned into a global movement, with millions of people and companies promoting a plant-based diet. In fact, 1,610 new vegan products were launched in 2023 alone, giving vegans more variety to choose from. 

2️⃣ Why is this important: Today, around two-thirds of farm animals are factory farmed, equating to nearly 50 billion animals a year. Most of these are kept in cramped enclosures, isolated, and subjected to cruel procedures in order to produce meat and dairy products for supermarket shelves. Additionally, livestock farming produces 37% of our global methane emissions and 65% of our nitrous oxide emissions. So, going vegan will help to protect animals and the environment as well as our own health. 

3️⃣ How can you get involved: The best way to get involved in Veganuary is to cook up your own vegan recipes and discover plant-based alternatives to your favorite meals. In addition, you can organize an awareness event in your own community on the benefits of going vegan or you can share your vegan journey on social media to inspire others. 

You can also check out the organizations below that are working to end the suffering of farm animals and improve prospects for farmers:

• 21 Best Charities for Helping Farm Animals
• 9 Best Charities That Help Farmers

📜 This Week in History

👩🏻‍✈️🛫 January 11, 1935: Amelia Earhart, one of the world’s most celebrated aviators, made the first successful solo flight from Hawaii to California, a distance longer than that from the United States to Europe. 

👩🏻‍💼 January 12, 1932: Hattie Ophelia Caraway became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate, serving a full term as a United States Senator. In 1943, Caraway became the first woman in Congress to cosponsor the Equal Rights Amendment.

💭 Quote of the Week

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.”

― Amelia Earhart; American aviator, first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and author

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

Stay impactful 💚