Good morning. Here are today’s stories of progress:

🌎 A Trump presidency isn’t the end of the world

Donald Trump’s reelection is a blow. But he can’t stand in the way of the green transition, climate scientist Bill Hare writes in the Guardian. The rapid growth of clean energy is unstoppable, while the investment contained within the Inflation Reduction Act can’t easily be walked back. And outside the US, other major players like China and the EU are continuing to rapidly decarbonize. The future of the planet doesn’t hinge on the US election – as long as other states don’t lead by its example.

‘If countries stick together and, as they should, deepen their commitments aligning with the Paris agreement’s 1.5C limit, the damage will be significant but not severe.’

🏠 The basketball legend championing sustainable building materials

Ex-Lakers player and actor Rick Fox has turned his attention to the carbon entrenched in our building materials, which account for 20% of total emissions. The company he co-founded, Partanna, has developed a cement binder made from upcycled materials that absorbs CO2 as it’s produced. After the hurricane that devastated his homeland of The Bahamas in 2019, Fox initially wanted to work on housing that could withstand extreme weather, but changed course when he learned about this innovation. The cement is the same price as Portland cement, and just as strong.

‘The cement industry, perhaps because it’s not seen as “sexy” doesn’t make the headlines that electric vehicles, nuclear or solar energy make, but there does need to be a real focus on this.’

🏆 Earthshot prize winners announced

The Earthshot prize supports innovations around the world that tackle urgent climate and environmental issues, with £1m going to five winners. This year’s winning projects include saving a critically endangered species of antelope from extinction in Kazakhstan; solar-powered refrigeration for Kenyan farmers; and turning excess heat from the steel and cement-making process into electricity.