Today (2017 C.E. - 2024 C.E.)

Solar farm

New Zealand’s biggest solar farm secures finance to go ahead at Christchurch Airport

| By | -, Change Milestones

Leading global renewable energy developer Lightsource BP has secured $NZ267 million in financing for its 168MW Kōwhai Park solar project planned to be built at the Christchurch Airport, which will be – for a time – the largest in the country. The solar farm is expected to begin construction later this year and begin operations some time in 2026. Once operational, the Kōwhai Park solar farm will generate over 275GWh per year, equivalent to the annual demand of approximately 36,000 homes.

New Zealand’s biggest solar farm secures finance to go ahead at Christchurch Airport Read more

Portrait of native american woman smiling on camera with city park in background - Indigenous girl outdoor

U.S. Federal Communications Commission adopts an alert system for missing Indigenous people

| By | -, Change Milestones

This new alert code, according to the federal agency, would be similar to the nationwide Amber Alert system and will help law enforcement agencies across the country to issue timely alerts to the public through cellphones, televisions and radios. The new “MEP” alert code is part of the efforts to address disparities in searching for and locating thousands of missing Indigenous persons in the U.S., who are at higher risk of being victims of violence, homicide, and of going missing, the FCC said in a news release.

U.S. Federal Communications Commission adopts an alert system for missing Indigenous people Read more

MIT naloxone sensor implant

MIT scientists reverse opioid overdoses with ‘Narcan sensor’ implanted under skin

| By | -, Change Milestones

In 2023, more than 100,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses. The most effective way to save someone who has overdosed is to administer a drug called naloxone, but help can’t always reach the person in time. Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital have developed a new device to address this problem. The device, about the size of a stick of gum, can be implanted under the skin. When it determines that an overdose has occurred, it rapidly pumps out a dose of naloxone.

MIT scientists reverse opioid overdoses with ‘Narcan sensor’ implanted under skin Read more

Mangrove tree in water above and below sea surface

Bangladeshi women embrace mangrove restoration as an alternative livelihood

| By | -, Change Milestones

The vast Sundarbans mangrove forests along the southern coast of Bangladesh act as a shield and protect the coastal people and their livelihoods from tropical cyclones and tidal surges. In the last couple of years, the number of mangroves in the zone has increased as the government and some NGOs have introduced programs to plant mangrove trees on the coastal embankments as protection measures. Women from coastal villages, who know the ecosystem well, have been at the forefront of these reforestation projects and have also become entrepreneurial with mangrove forest resources.

Bangladeshi women embrace mangrove restoration as an alternative livelihood Read more

Medications

The U.S. negotiates Medicare drug price cuts that will save billions for U.S. citizens

| By | -, Change Milestones

The United States has negotiated down the prices of 10 top-selling prescription drugs used by Medicare by as much as 79%, hoping to save $6 billion in the first year as part of a plan hailed on Thursday by President Joe Biden with the aim to ease anger about high prices ahead of November elections. Biden’s signature Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in 2022, was the first to allow Medicare to negotiate prices for some of the most costly drugs that the program covers for 66 million people. The new prices will go into effect in 2026.

The U.S. negotiates Medicare drug price cuts that will save billions for U.S. citizens Read more

Black woman smiling

Puerto Rico bans hair discrimination

| By | -, Change Milestones

Puerto Rico recently approved legislation forbidding discrimination against natural hair and protective hairstyles in both public and private organizations, marking a significant step forward in the fight against racial discrimination. The new rule reflects years of grassroots activism and the personal experiences of those who have encountered prejudice because of their natural hair, particularly in Afro-descendant groups.

Puerto Rico bans hair discrimination Read more

Mangrove tree in the waters around Nosy Be Madagascar

Madagascar’s mangroves are rebounding after decades of deforestation

| By | -, Change Milestones

A new analysis of satellite imagery dating as far back as 1972 reveals that mangroves in Madagascar are rebounding after decades of deforestation. The island’s total mangrove cover is down 8% compared with 1972, but a closer look at the data shows that the rate of loss has been declining and even reversed in the last decade. Between 2009 and 2019, Madagascar’s mangrove cover increased by 5%, with mangrove forests expanding even more in protected areas — showing that conservation efforts are working.

Madagascar’s mangroves are rebounding after decades of deforestation Read more

Charging an EV

Major new commitment from nearly 350 mayors to accelerate U.S. electric vehicle transition

| By | -, Change Milestones

As a part of the 2nd anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, nearly 350 Climate Mayors announced a commitment to electrify at least 50% of municipal fleets by 2030 while increasing electric vehicle (EV) chargers by at least 500%, with at least 40% of the charging infrastructure benefitting disadvantaged communities. This collective effort is a pivotal move to meet the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to make 50% of all new vehicle sales electric by 2030.

Major new commitment from nearly 350 mayors to accelerate U.S. electric vehicle transition Read more

Seastar

Lab-grown starfish released into wild for the first time ever, saving species from extinction

| By | -, Change Milestones

Due to sea star wasting disease, lower oxygen levels in seawater, and rising temperatures, starfish populations are at risk around the globe. Across the last decade, the sunflower star population plummeted by over 90%. Fortunately, in 2019, marine biologist Jason Hodin stepped up to save the sea stars from extinction. At the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Labs, Hodin has carefully grown and raised several generations of sunflower starfish in a controlled environment, breeding them from a select sample of starfish he rescued from the harbor five years prior.

Lab-grown starfish released into wild for the first time ever, saving species from extinction Read more

Kim Coco Iwamoto

Kim Coco Iwamoto to become Hawaii’s first trans lawmaker

| By | -, Change Milestones

Iwamoto is known for her progressive stance, having been recognized by former President Barack Obama for her work. She’s also been supported by groups mirroring U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) politics. She supports the Green New Deal, wants to increase funding of public education in the state, promotes mass reform of the criminal justice system, and aims to invest in affordable housing.

Kim Coco Iwamoto to become Hawaii’s first trans lawmaker Read more

Start typing and press enter to search