Weekly News September 20
Google is stepping up its climate action by purchasing 50,000 nature-based carbon credits from Mombak’s reforestation projects in the Amazon.
Meta Makes Major Move to Offset Carbon Emissions
Meta (Facebook's parent company) is taking its sustainability efforts to a whole new level! 🌿💡 It has agreed to purchase up to 3.9 million carbon credits from BTG Pactual’s forestry initiative in Latin America. These credits come from forest restoration projects, effectively helping Meta invest in tree planting 🌳 to offset emissions, bringing them closer to their 2030 net-zero target. At current prices, this deal could be worth up to $16 million.
👉 Would you support companies selling carbon credits from trees?
Open Data for Carbon Projects 🚀
If you’re into ARR, IFM, REDD+, or Blue Carbon Projects, this one’s for you! 🌍 The Renoster Team has just released a public database packed with geospatial analysis reports from over 500 Nature-Based Carbon Projects. Powered by Maya’s Geospatial Copilot, these reports—ranging from forest cover to drought risk—use AI to streamline a process that used to take thousands of hours.
💻✨ What’s your take on using geospatial AI for climate action?
https://gee-community-catalog.org/projects/carbon_projects/
The Fire Crisis in Brazil: A Growing Concern 🔥
While deforestation might be slowing, new forest fires are skyrocketing across Brazil’s Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal regions. 🌳🔥 Over 160,000 fire outbreaks have already been recorded this year—a staggering 104% rise from 2023. Illegal logging, pasture expansion, and fires clearing land for soy and beef are contributing to the worst air quality in São Paulo, and the smoke is spreading across South America. Check out the open data here to see for yourself.
😷 How can we raise more awareness to stop the Amazon crisis?
Solutions for a Sustainable Future: Project Drawdown
Project Drawdown is working tirelessly to end the climate crisis by 2030 with their focus on regeneration 🌱 and social justice. From individuals to governments, they rate climate solutions based on environmental and social impacts, while integrating climate, biodiversity, and human dignity. 🌍 Check out their work on GitHub to see how they’re accelerating solutions on a global scale.
🌍 Have you heard of any other transparent climate solutions?
Join Armenia’s Water Data Hackathon 🌊💻
Are you a computer science or environmental science enthusiast? Armenia’s Water Data Hackathon invites you to create digital solutions for sustainable water governance! This two-day event, co-organized by the European Union and USAID, offers a platform to tackle real-world water challenges while gaining valuable experience. 💧💡 The hackathon takes place on October 23-24, and applications close October 4th, 2024.
🚀 What ideas could you bring to the table for water sustainability?
Google Takes a Stand for Reforestation 🌳
Google is stepping up its climate action by purchasing 50,000 nature-based carbon credits from Mombak’s reforestation projects in the Amazon. 🌿 As part of its $35 million carbon removal credit investment, Google has joined forces with Meta, Microsoft, and Salesforce in the Symbiosis Coalition to promote nature-based solutions. Mombak focuses on large-scale reforestation that restores biodiversity and supports local communities.
💚 What more should big tech be doing to fight climate change?
https://www.esgtoday.com/google-signs-brazil-reforestation-based-carbon-removal-purchase-deal/
Yucatán's New Guide for Carbon Project Development 🌿
The Government of Yucatán has released a new Best Practice Guide for the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), developed with the help of UNDP and Climate Focus. 🌱 This guide is an invaluable resource for creating high-integrity Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects that support local communities and promote environmental and social sustainability. It covers legal frameworks, community participation, and transparency.
📘 Do you think more regions should develop similar guides?
Github’s Top 10 Green Software Products
Github just compiled a directory of open-source software products that allow you to lower your personal emission footprint. Check out their blog post listing the top 10.
💻 Is green software important to you?
https://github.blog/open-source/social-impact/the-10-best-tools-to-green-your-software/