Taylor Isn’t the Only One in the Big Apple with Big News

The Big Apple Can Now be Composted

😊 The Good News - I may be known as the "Garbage Queen", but Queens, NY is about to become a hotspot for compost royalty. Starting next month Queens will have a curbside composting program that will service over 2 million people, making it the biggest in the country. Queens was chosen since the borough has historically experienced environmental injustices and produces the most yard waste of all five boroughs.

🥾 Follow This Path - This program makes climate action easier for residents - they don’t need to spend extra money or time to compost. While hopefully, we’ll see others follow suit, it’s helpful to remember that in 1996 (26 years ago!), San Francisco became the first city in the nation to establish a large-scale food composting program. Today SF composts and recycles about 80% of its waste.

Dogs Aren’t the Only Things That Can Eat Your Shoes

😊 The Good News - The startup Carbios has developed an enzyme that can break down polyester in clothing and use it to create new fibers. The company plans to open its first commercial-scale bio-recycling plant in France in 2025 and has signed agreements with big brands like Patagonia and Puma to recycle their polyester clothing.

🥾 Follow This Path - The fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of global emissions, so developing circular solutions is critical. Carbios is a long way off from getting to scale, so I’ll be curious to see what other options brands provide and invest in going forward.

Beep Beep, Zero Emission Cars!

😊 The Good News - California recently announced a ban on the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2035, and the timing is perfect considering the I.R.A. will give tax credits to consumers to purchase electric vehicles. It’s estimated that the ban will reduce transportation emissions in the state by 50%, forcing auto manufacturers to speed up the production of zero-emission vehicles to meet demand.

🥾 Follow This Path - Transportation accounts for 15% of emissions in the United States, and California’s vehicle standards are the leader in the country. 15 states have adopted these standards so far which means this ban will extend far outside the Golden State.

🎶I Come from the Land Down Under That is Set to Go Fully Renewable 🎶

😊 The Good News - Researchers at the University of New South Wales have modeled different scenarios of Australia transitioning to 100% renewable energy, and the results show that it is far more achievable than originally thought – and will require little energy storage. These scenarios are far more accurate than previous ones as they use real-time energy demand data.

🥾 Follow This Path - These results couldn’t have come at a more perfect time as Australia recently passed its first climate legislation in more than a decade.

Are You Happy to be in Paris (Now That Commercial Buildings Must Have Green Roofs)? Oui!

😊 The Good News - The French Parliament recently passed a law requiring all new commercial buildings to have part of their roofs covered in solar panels or plants. This is in support of an effort to help the country transition to renewable energy and reduce the urban heat island effect. The move is thanks to pressure from activists, so remember: activism works!

🥾 Follow This Path - Buildings indirectly contribute to around 40% of emissions yet are often left out of the climate solution conversation. I’m curious to see if other countries follow in France’s footsteps and pass laws requiring green roofs.

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