Weekly Successes Highlights: Important News Worth Celebrating

In the realm of conservation, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the sailback houndshark as "data deficient". This elusive creature, believed to be limited to a specific region in Papua New Guinea's Astrolabe Bay, has recently been recorded for the first time as a male, offering a second chance to save an "important marine biodiversity icon".

Moving on to health news, a comprehensive study suggests that people who follow plant-based diets are less likely to develop cancer than meat eaters. The research indicates that vegetarians have a 12% lower risk, while vegans experience the largest overall reduction in cancer risk (24%) compared to meat eaters. Furthermore, a simple blood test has been developed that can detect ovarian cancer in its early stages with an accuracy of 93%, potentially saving the lives of over 300,000 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year.

In the realm of renewable energy, global investment in green energy projects hit a record $386bn in the first half of the year, a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. Europe saw the biggest surge in this investment, while China still accounted for 44% of global renewables investment, despite a shrinkage due to regulatory changes. Scientists have proposed that solar arrays in space could be a "gamechanger" for decarbonizing Europe's energy grid, potentially reducing Europe's need for land-based renewable energy by up to 80%.

In other news, Finland and Poland are drawing up plans to restore their wetlands to mitigate climate change and potential threats, such as Russian tanks. The Finnish Defence Forces are spearheading this initiative, recognising the importance of these vital carbon sinks, which have been drained for agriculture.

Helsinki, Finland, has made significant strides in promoting pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure. The city has recorded no traffic-related deaths for an entire year, thanks to lower speed limits, cycle lanes, and improved public transport.

Lastly, South Korea has passed a bill outlawing smartphones in schools, following research from the Netherlands suggesting that such bans can improve students' sociability, focus, and academic performance.

These developments underscore the global commitment to sustainability, health, and conservation, demonstrating that progress is possible when we work together.