Northern Ireland's Renewable Record and Amazon Turtle Comebacks
This week's digest highlights record renewable energy generation in Northern Ireland, Indigenous women reviving Amazon turtle populations, former poachers protecting Nigerian rainforest, and new research on how green.
1. Renewable Energy Reaches Record Levels in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has achieved a landmark milestone, with renewable energy generation reaching record levels. For the first time, renewable generation has consistently exceeded non-renewable generation since January, marking significant progress in the region’s transition to cleaner power.
Source: BBC
2. Indigenous Women Help Amazon Turtles Recover in Ecuador
On the banks of the Aguarico River in the Ecuadorian Amazon, a group of Indigenous Siekopai women are combining traditional knowledge with modern technology to help the threatened charapa turtle recover. Their dedicated efforts are supporting the return of the yellow-spotted Amazon River turtle, a promising sign for the region’s biodiversity.
Source: Mongabay
3. Former Poachers Now Protect One of Nigeria’s Last Rainforests
In Nigeria, former hunters like Sunday Abiodun are using their deep knowledge of the forest to protect wildlife rather than hunt it. After 15 years of tracking animals for bushmeat, Abiodun and others have transformed into guardians of one of the country’s last remaining rainforests, offering a hopeful model for conservation.
Source: Reasons to be Cheerful
4. New Study Compares Green Spaces for Urban Cooling
New research is helping urban planners understand how woodlands, grasslands, lakes and rivers create significantly cooler microclimates in cities. The findings offer promising guidance for designing greener urban areas that reduce heat exposure and keep residents more comfortable during hot weather.
Source: Mongabay
5. Women Farmers in Sumatra Pioneer Gentler Elephant Coexistence
In the buffer zone of Sumatra’s Tesso Nilo National Park, a women-led farming group has developed an innovative, gentle solution to reduce encounters with elephants. Their community-driven approach demonstrates how local ingenuity can help people and wildlife share landscapes peacefully.
Source: Mongabay
6. UN General Assembly Approves New Learning Institute
The UN General Assembly has approved the merger of two United Nations learning and training bodies, creating a new institution designed to strengthen education and training support. The move is a significant step toward better serving both Member States and the UN system itself.
Source: United Nations
7. Green Community Projects Change Lives in Devon
Flourishing green community projects in Devon, England, are transforming local lives, with four initiatives nominated in the environmental category of the region’s Make a Difference Awards. The recognition highlights the growing impact of grassroots environmental efforts on community wellbeing.
Source: BBC
