Happy Thursday 👋

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

• Addressing the impact of food systems on climate change 🌾
• Canada announces all new cars must be zero emissions by 2035 🍁
• California redwoods ‘killed’ by wildfire come back to life with 2,000-year-old buds 🌳
• And more… 💚

Did you know that food systems still account for 34% of global CO₂ emissions?

This number is already down from 44% back in 1990. But there’s still so much we can do to reduce food-related emissions much further.

Luckily, the COP28 addressed this issue. And I’m happy to share another recap from COP28 with you!

🌾 COP28 Puts Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems on the Climate Agenda

1️⃣ The big picture: COP28 marked a significant shift in climate discussions by finally addressing the impact of food systems on climate change. For the first time, the conference opened with a declaration on sustainable agriculture signed by over 130 countries and dedicated a full day to food and agriculture. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also laid out a food systems road map, and the final agreement acknowledged sustainable agriculture as a crucial part of climate change response. This increased focus on food systems represents a major advancement in integrating agricultural practices into global climate action plans.

2️⃣ Why is this good news: Food systems are responsible for roughly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, making them a critical area for climate action. The COP28 agreement’s emphasis on sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems is a step toward reducing these emissions. The FAO’s road map highlights key strategies like cutting methane emissions from livestock, halving food waste emissions, and diversifying crop production. This holistic approach could lead to more sustainable food production and consumption patterns, significantly contributing to global climate goals.

3️⃣ What’s next: While the declaration is not legally binding, it signals countries’ intentions to integrate food and agriculture into their climate plans. The challenge now is to translate these intentions into concrete actions. This will require addressing the overrepresentation of corporate interests in the sector and ensuring that sustainable food system solutions receive adequate funding. The FAO’s road map, though not binding, provides guidance for countries to align their food production with climate goals. The next COP meetings, especially COP30 in Brazil, are expected to build on this progress and potentially lead to more substantial commitments in the final global stocktake document.

Related: Join the race to become a net negative emitter of carbon emissions with one of the 19 Best Carbon Offsets!

📢 More Good News…

🍁 Canada announces all new cars must be zero emissions by 2035:

• The Canadian government has set a new requirement that all new cars must be zero emissions by 2035. These measures are already implemented in Québec and British Columbia.
• Zero-emissions vehicles will include plug-in, battery electric and hydrogen models. These eco-friendly models will be required to make up 20% of all new vehicle sales in 2026, 60% in 2030, and 100% by 2035.
• The Canadian province of Ottawa is also planning to announce new automobile regulations called the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, which aims to help to shorten the wait time for electric vehicles and ensure the Canadian market has an available supply.
  

🌳🌳California redwoods ‘killed’ by wildfire come back to life with 2,000-year-old buds:

• New trees are sprouting in California’s Big Basin Redwood State Park after facing a massive wildfire in 2020. 
• According to a new study, these sprouts are from previously dormant buds buried deep in the pit of the burnt redwoods. The bud tissue is believed to be 2,000 years old and the sprouts are using very old carbon reserves to grow.z
  

🦌 After 23 years extinct in the wild, scimitar-horned oryx make a triumphant comeback:

• The scimitar-horned oryx is a large antelope species that was declared Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN in 2000. Today, the status has changed and this species is now only considered endangered thanks to conservation efforts.
• Fortunately, in 1985, a recovery project was started with partners such as ZSL London Zoo and the Sahara Conservation Fund (SCF). 510 calves have been born in the wild since the start of the project.
• Although the species is still at great risk, the recovery project greatly reduces this risk and gives the scimitar-horned oryx a higher chance of success and recovery in the wild.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Event of the Week: International Human Solidarity Day

👉 Did you know that yesterday (December 20^th) was International Human Solidarity Day? This event was founded in 2005 to encourage the spirit of sharing to eradicate poverty around the world. 

1️⃣ The big picture: International Human Solidarity Day was founded by the United Nations General Assembly to encourage people and countries to work together to promote peace, human rights, and social and economic development, especially in poor countries. In December 2002, the General Assembly identified solidarity as one of the fundamental values that should underlined relations in the 21^st century. They then set up the World Solidarity Fund in 2003 to eradicate poverty and proclaimed December 20 to be International Human Solidarity Day in 2005. Today, the event is a time to celebrate diversity and support projects aimed at ending human suffering. 

2️⃣ Why is this important: Today, approximately 682 million people (8.5% of the human population) live in extreme poverty, which is defined as living below the international poverty line of $2.15/day. Roughly 62% of these people live in Sub-Saharan Africa. People living in poverty are among the most vulnerable in society, often lacking access to basic amenities such as water, healthcare, and a decent education. Children in poor communities are also more likely to suffer from stunted growth and high mortality rates. 

3️⃣ How can you get involved: There are many ways you can get involved in International Human Solidarity Day, including setting up your own fundraising or awareness event in your community. You can also consider volunteering with a local group to help others, such as the elderly or families struggling to afford basic necessities. Consider helping out at a local food bank or homeless shelter to support those in need this Christmas. 

In addition, you can check out the organizations below that are working to eradicate poverty worldwide:

• 10 Best Charities Impacting Global Poverty
• 9 Best Charities That Support Low-Income Families
• 9 Best Charities That Combat Child Poverty
• 13 Best Charities for Helping Homeless People
• 9 Best Charities That Fight Hunger Globally

📜 This Week in History 

👨🏻👩🏻🏆December 21, 1898: On this day in 1898, having recently discovered polonium, future Nobel Prize winners Marie and Pierre Curie discovered the radioactive chemical element radium, a silvery white metal that would be used to treat cancer.

🎦 December 21, 1937: The classic animated movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered, establishing Walt Disney as one of the world’s most innovative and creative moviemakers.

🏃🏾‍♀️December 21, 1959: Florence Griffith Joyner, widely known as “Flo Jo” was born. She set world records in 1988 when she ran the 100 m in 10.49 seconds, a world record that still stands.

💭 Quote of the Week

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

― Walt Disney; American animator, film producer, and founder of Disneyland

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

Stay impactful 💚