Happy Thursday 👋

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

• Limitless energy from nuclear fusion ⚡
• The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund launched 🌐
• Fossil fuel burning ‘collapsed’ in the EU ⏬
• And more… 💚

Just imagine we had a way to produce limitless clean energy… Wouldn’t that be a dream scenario that could help us overcome the need for fossil fuels?

Well, I love all the advancements we make when it comes to clean energy, so that we can become independent of fossil fuels as soon as possible.

And nuclear fusion (as opposed to the currently used nuclear fission) is certainly one promising candidate. That’s why I’m super happy to share this week’s energy breakthrough with you.

⚡ How a Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough Clears the Path for ‘Limitless Energy’

1️⃣ The big picture: The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in nuclear fusion technology. In a repeat experiment, they’ve managed to produce a nuclear fusion reaction with a positive net energy gain, meaning the energy output was greater than the energy input. This marks the second time in history that such a feat has been accomplished, reinforcing the potential of nuclear fusion as a clean and abundant energy source. This time, the team used 192 giant lasers to deliver 2.05 megajoules of energy to their target, which subsequently released an even higher energy output than their previous record.

2️⃣ Why is this good news: Nuclear fusion has long been considered the “holy grail” of clean energy because it can produce a massive amount of energy without harmful byproducts. Unlike fission, which is the process used in current nuclear power plants and produces long-lived radioactive waste, fusion is a much safer and more efficient process. And these recent breakthroughs have removed major obstacles that have kept nuclear fusion from becoming a viable energy source.

3️⃣ What’s next: While the breakthrough is promising, experts caution that nuclear fusion is not a quick fix for climate change. It could still take decades for fusion to become a feasible energy source. However, the repeated success of these experiments brings renewed optimism and focus to the field. Researchers are now looking at diversifying approaches to make fusion a reality sooner, potentially within the next 10 to 15 years, to have a meaningful impact on climate change.

📢 More Good News…

🌐 New global biodiversity fund launched in Vancouver: 

• 185 nations have agreed to the new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), which aims to increase investment in conservation and sustainability of wild species and ecosystems. 
• Canada has already pledged C$200m, while the UK has contributed £10m. 
• The contributions will support action towards halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 and putting nature on a recovery path by 2050.

⏬ Fossil fuel burning ‘collapsed’ in the EU: 

• The first half of 2023 is showing good promise for the transition from coal and gas to clean sustainable power. 
• Fossil fuel generation fell by nearly 20%.
• Wind and solar power accounted for more than 30% of electricity production in the EU.

⛽ Cleaner fuels replace over half the amount of diesel used in California for first time: 

• Thanks to the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, over half of diesel fuel used in California was replaced by cleaner fuels, as of the first quarter of 2023. 
• According to the California Air Resources Board, these cleaner fuel sources include renewable diesel, biodiesel, electricity, and hydrogen. 

🛫 Day of the Week: International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

👉 Did you know that today, September 7, is the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies?

1️⃣ The big picture: Although you can’t see it, air pollution is everywhere. Not only does air pollution have a direct impact on our health, but air pollutants, such as short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), are one of the main contributors to global warming. Today, the international community acknowledges that by improving our air quality, we can help mitigate climate change and provide clean air for all.

2️⃣ Why is this important: Over 99% of people breathe polluted air. Аir pollution is one of the single greatest environmental risks to human health, as well as one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally. An estimated 6.5 million premature deaths (2016) across the globe are attributed to indoor and outdoor air pollution, especially in low-income areas and developing countries.

3️⃣ How can you get involved: You can support programs and public authorities in tackling air pollution, use public transport, cycle or walk whenever possible, and raise awareness on social media using the hashtags #TogetherForCleanAir, #WorldCleanAirDay and #HealthyAirHealthyPlanet. 

📜 This Week in History

👵🏼🎨 September 7, 1860: American folk painter Grandma Moses, who was internationally popular for her documentation of rural life in the United States, was born. Her successful art career only took off when she started painting in her late 70’s, and Grandma Moses served as an inspiration to millions, reminding people they can never be too old to take action.

📜🚘 September 9, 1966: On this day, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act is signed into law by US President Lyndon B. Johnson. This act greatly reduced millions of motor-vehicle crashes and injuries, and vehicle-related death rates dropped rapidly.

💭 Quote of the Week

“I look back on my life like a good day’s work, it was done and I am satisfied with it.”

― Anna Mary Robertson Moses (famously known as Grandma Moses); American folk painter and artist

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

Stay impactful 💚