From scientific discoveries to activist wins, here are the latest news stories that showcase the people who are taking on climate change and nature loss.

🚮 The Gambia’s plan to drive down plastic waste

Besieged by plastic trash, the Gambia has set out a roadmap under which it will ban plastic over the next decade. By improving infrastructure, banning single-use plastic bottles, giving current legislation sharper teeth, and raising awareness, it hopes to reduce plastic waste by a huge 86%. But one aspect of this transition that can’t be overlooked is how the country will provide its waste collectors – who pick through the trash for plastic to sell – with other economic opportunities. 

‘It is ambitious, but ambition builds the world.’        

🏭 How Sweden is decarbonising steel production

Cleaning up steel is pivotal in the fight against climate change, as the process is responsible for up to a staggering 10% of carbon emissions. But a company in Sweden is now in the process of building a commercial-scale, sustainable steel mill. Instead of coal, it runs on hydrogen made from renewable electricity. As a result, the byproduct is harmless water rather than the planet-warming CO2. The plant is currently in the works and is projected to produce 2.5m tons of steel per year by 2026.

☠️ Two carcinogenic chemicals finally banned

The US’ Environmental Protection Agency has announced a ban on two carcinogens used in consumer products and industrial processes. One of these is TCE, which is heavily polluting to the environment and incredibly damaging to human health. The ban is well overdue, since we’ve been aware of the dangers of this cancer-causing substance for decades, especially for communities who live near industry sites. Perc, a harmful chemical notably used in dry cleaning, has also been banned, with a phaseout period of three years.