During 2022, numerous positive environmental projects of various scales were implemented in the world – from small local to global ones, which are capable of changing the world.
Climate and natural crises may cause so-called environmental anxiety, but victories show there is hope, reports Euronews.
August
In Sardinia, Italy, community energy has been introduced, in which citizens produce their own renewable energy and share the income (energy and money) among the community.
Ecuador takes the lead in working with indigenous groups to protect rainforests, launched Amazon Platform for Forests, Climate and Human Well-Being.
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratory for Materials Science and Technology have developed a water-switched paper battery that can be used to power disposable electronics.
The world's fastest electric ship will set sail in Stockholm in 2023, reducing environmental impact and travel time. Candela P-12 is a flying ferry for 30 passengers, which will develop a speed of 30 knots and will not damage the shores with waves.
In India, cheetahs have been extinct for more than half a century. However, in August 2022, the big cats will finally return to the country.
Two-thirds of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia showed the largest coral cover in 36 years.
A lost species of iguana was born again in the Galapagos Islands for the first time in almost 200 years.
July
Berlin Tegel Airport will be transformed into an ecologically clean village for 10,000 people.
The surprise deal reached by Senate Democrats would be the most ambitious action the US has ever taken to combat global warming.
Environmentalists who went to court to prevent a toxic waste dump in the ancient Tarkin Rainforest in Tasmania have won in the federal court.
France may legalize the use of vegetable oil as fuel to tackle the cost of living crisis.
As city planners grapple with Rotterdam's space crunch, Wikkelboat has designed floating mini-buildings made of cardboard that have a variety of uses, such as hotels, event spaces, offices and temporary housing. They can become part of the solution to the development of Dutch cities on water.
The UK government has invested record sums in RES with the generation capacity of up to 11 gigawatts of energy. This is enough to provide electricity to 12 million homes at the same time.
The world-famous toy company Mattel has released a doll of the famous environmentalist Jane Goodall, which is made of 75% recycled plastic.
Sand batteries could be a key breakthrough in year-round solar and wind energy storage. Solar energy stored in sand batteries could help Finns survive a long, cold winter that will be even harsher after russia cut off gas and electricity supplies.
Streptomycete bacteria create an explosive molecule when they eat sugar, which researchers say could be used as an alternative fuel for airplanes.
A research team from universities in the US and China say they have found a way to help plants survive extreme heat.
A water battery capable of storing electricity equivalent to 400,000 electric car batteries will start operating in Switzerland.
June
A Danish startup has pioneered reusable menstrual products to help women ditch plastic.
Christians in Oxford County, England are being asked to take a specific vow to protect the environment.
Dutch company RanMarine has deployed several 157-centimetre-wide water drones called WasteSharks that pick up trash and return it to land.
The extinct fantastic giant tortoise was found alive in the Galapagos Islands.
In the city of Leuven in Belgium, it was forbidden to drive cars into the center.
In Langholm, near Gretna Green on the border with England, the community raised €4.5 million and bought 2,100 hectares of land to preserve valuable areas.
The world's largest vertical farm, the size of 96 tennis courts, is being built in Great Britain.
A German non-governmental organization is working hard to breed a new population of Spix's macaws, bringing their number to 180 healthy individuals. This brings the species back from the brink of extinction.
Finland will become the first European country to achieve net zero and plans to have negative emissions by 2040.
May
Scientists have discovered that the last 10 vaquitas are not doomed to extinction and can recover if illegal fishing stops in their waters.
The European Commission hopes to kick-start the large-scale deployment of solar energy and revive the European solar industry. Solar panels could be installed on all public buildings in Europe by 2025.
A Spanish diver rescued a 12-meter whale that was caught in an illegal fishing net.
The world's first net-zero operation, paving the way for more sustainable healthcare practices, took place in the UK.
Scientists suggest that human urine can become a good alternative to chemical fertilizers.
April
Lottery winner uses his €200 million winnings to set up an environmental charity.
A rehabilitation center for orphaned baby sloths was created in Costa Rica.
Scientists from a Swedish university have created an energy system that captures and stores solar energy for 18 years, releasing it as heat when needed.
The largest city in Switzerland, Zurich, completely abandon fossil fuels.
Night solar panels appeared, which are able to generate electricity after sunset.
March
American billionaire Douglas Tompkins turned the Patagonia region of Chile into a national treasure. Andean deer are being saved from extinction in Cerro Castillo National Park.
Solar and wind power could grow enough to limit global warming to 1.5C if a 10-year average growth rate of 20 percent can be sustained until 2030, according to a new report.
An innovative wooden skyscraper in Sweden captures as much carbon as 10,000 forests.
Panama has adopted a new law that gives nature the right to exist.
In Australia, billionaire Mike Cannon-Brooks is trying to buy the country's three coal-fired power plants. The goal is to close them permanently and replace them with renewable energy sources.
The UN has agreed to an agreement on plastic pollution
February
China opens first vertical forest city to residents it has about 500 people and more than 5,000 bushes and trees.
Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to stop pollution.
January
The capital of Estonia will become the Green Capital of Europe in 2023 thanks to an innovative and modern approach to sustainable development.
Students designed a floating house to save people from floods.
The tiny tequila disappeared from the wild in 2003 due to human activity, but thanks to the efforts of conservation centers, colonies of this small freshwater species are thriving again.
An Australian startup is fighting deforestation with an army of drones.
Before the pandemic, the global conference industry emitted as many greenhouse gas emissions as the United States. The sector is a serious polluter, but a recent study found that a shift to more online-only and hybrid events could benefit the planet greatly. According to the IPCC 2021 report, we have 8.3-9.7 years before we exceed the global warming limit of 1.5℃. But researchers say that moving conferences online could extend that period by about 1.5 years.
Off the tropical coast of Tahiti, marine explorers have discovered one of the largest coral reefs ever found. And, unlike many of its counterparts, it does not seem to be affected by human activity.
Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that in Istanbul, Turkey, the first biorefinery factory with negative emissions was opened, where algae are converted into energy and useful products, including fuel, food additives and fertilizers.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, the Greek island of Tilos implements the Just Go Zero waste management program, which allows the community dispose 86% of waste.
