Happy Halloween! 🎃

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

⚖️ Exploiting positive tipping points

Earlier this month it was announced that we have crossed the first tipping point – a point of no return with unforeseen consequences – as warm-water corals are dying off at a rapid clip. But as this article outlines, positive tipping points are just as possible as their more devastating counterparts.

For instance, the more people who cycle instead of driving, the more campaigns for better cycling infrastructure are likely to be successful – and the more safe and pleasant it is, the more people will take to two wheels. Similarly, developments in technology for battery storage and solar panels can drive prices down and make adoption inevitable. If policymakers take advantage of these positive tipping points, we can potentially outpace those that are poised to cause catastrophic environmental harm.

🌳 Deforestation in the Amazon falls

Despite record wildfires, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by 11% in the past year. This success shows how proper enforcement of environmental laws can deliver results. 9,540 inspections were carried out this year, with more than 4,500 pieces of machinery and livestock seized when owners were caught engaging in illegal clearing.

🎨 The paint that beats the heat

Australian researchers are commercialising a roof coating that can cool surfaces by as much as 6°C. This lowers indoor temperatures, with the effects most pronounced in buildings that are poorly insulated. It could also cool urban areas in general, combating what’s known as the urban heat island effect. The paint also extracts water from the atmosphere – as much as 70 litres per day.

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