The Week in Context

Staying up to date on all things sustainability can be challenging. That's why we've put together The Week in Context, a summary of the most noteworthy headlines across people, planet, and business.

Why Summers May Never Be the Same – New York Times

This summer felt like an inflection point for climate change. Childhood experiences during the summer shifted due to extreme heat, with outdoor activities becoming less feasible. People were forced indoors due to heat and smoke from wildfires, affecting their physical activities and connection with nature. Night became a preferred time for work and play to escape the scorching daytime temperatures. Climate change also raised questions about the concept of home, with some contemplating relocation due to the impact of extreme weather on their regions. As average global temperatures broke records, concerns about, and impacts from, climate change are intensifying.

The communities experimenting with how to be more resilient to a changing climate – NPR

Communities across the United States are taking steps to combat climate change and boost resilience. Maine is converting lumber industry byproducts into insulation to lock carbon. Seattle Children's Hospital cut anesthetic gas emissions, and Colorado is establishing clean hydrogen standards. Washington state is converting cow waste into methane and potentially hydrogen. Los Angeles uses "cool paint" to reduce heat absorption, and Massachusetts is using ribbed mussels to restore salt marshes. The Swinomish Tribe built the first modern clam garden in the U.S., benefiting both ecosystems and communities. These initiatives showcase diverse approaches communities are taking to tackle climate change and enhance resilience.

While staying up to date on the very real challenges facing our planet – climate disasters, biodiversity loss, and community exploitation – there are wins happening across the board.

In this week’s Climate Wins: Montana youths win a landmark climate decision, community-informed climate resilience in S?o Paulo, and Peruvian Indigenous protection of the potato.

Judge rules in favor of Montana youths in landmark climate decision – The Washington Post

In a groundbreaking ruling, a Montana state court has sided with young plaintiffs who argued that the state's promotion of fossil fuels violated their right to a clean and healthy environment. This landmark decision, seen as one of the strongest on climate change by a court, may inspire further environmental activism and legal actions to combat climate change. Despite an expected appeal, the case marks a rare victory for climate activists in the U.S., and experts suggest that this verdict may influence judges in other states to show judicial courage in addressing climate change.

Mini Forests in S?o Paulo Combat Rising Temperatures – Happy Eco News

In S?o Paulo, Brazilian youth, educators, and indigenous communities are planting mini forests to combat rising temperatures and reduce the urban heat island effect caused by global warming. This grassroots initiative, organized by the NGO formigus-de-embaúba, aims to educate and inspire young people to play an active role in environmental preservation. This model also incorporates indigenous knowledge, ensuring its continuity and relevance in addressing climate challenges.

The seed guardians of Peru trying to save the potato – BBC

The Andes mountains in South America are home to over 1,300 diverse varieties of potatoes that are vital to the culture of the region and play a critical role in adapting to climate change. Indigenous communities established Potato Park, near Pisac, Peru, to preserve the genetic diversity of potatoes and the cultural heritage associated with them. Farmers are safeguarding rare potato varieties and testing their resilience to extreme weather conditions expected with climate change. This approach to in situ conservation, where crops are preserved through cultivation, allows plants to adapt to real-world conditions and ensures the continuation of valuable genetic diversity in food crops.

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