Here are today’s stories of progress in the fight against the climate crisis and nature loss.

🦸🏽‍♀️ The real climate heroes

With COP underway, it’s worth recognising the most effective stewards of our planet’s health: the Indigenous and local communities who are protecting biodiversity and sustainably managing their land. From taking on fossil fuel giants to defending rainforests from illegal logging, communities on the frontline are the most committed to real climate action, yet are sidelined at official conferences. But if we really want to make progress, we have to spotlight the solutions that are already working.

💡 Where solar is so cheap, it’s free

Plentiful sunshine and a solar boom means that millions of Australians are set to receive electricity for free. Starting from next July, residents of three states will get power without paying for three hours per day. With one in three Australians having already installed solar panels on their roof, the Solar Sharer plan will ensure the benefits are shared with everyone.

 🌳 How dead trees can keep the earth alive

Biomass burial – the practice of storing trees that have been destroyed by wildfires underground – is gaining traction. The practice prevents the trees’ stored carbon from being released to the atmosphere for at least 100 years, and is increasingly being packaged and sold in the form of carbon credits. Unlike other schemes, like tree planting, biomass burial works immediately and carries far less risk. In the right context, it could be a valuable and easy facilitated climate solution.

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📝 The Green Light is written by freelance writer Molly Millar.