Good morning!

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, and winning.

1. ‘Chonkus’ is here to fight climate change

Meet the new carbon-sink on the block: Chonkus, a strain of algae recently found off the coast of Sicily. Here, volcanic vents mean the waters are full of CO2, which Chonkus has grown to love chowing down on. Chonkus is highly dense, meaning it sinks naturally, and it’s fast-growing, hence the name. These qualities make it ideal for carbon sequestration in industrial environments, or for sinking large amounts of carbon to the bottom of the ocean. Sometimes, solutions don’t come from cutting-edge scientific innovations, but via nature’s millennia of experience.

2. The giant rats sniffing out wildlife crime

Speaking of harnessing nature to solve our problems, African giant pouched rats could soon be put to work tackling the illegal wildlife trade. These huge rats, whose incredible sense of smell has seen them sniff out everything from landmines to tuberculosis, could be used to uncover trafficked pangolin scales, elephant ivory, rhino horn, and African blackwood. Researchers argue this would be a cost-effective means of catching smugglers and ease the pressure on these species, which are at risk of extinction in part due to the booming trade.

3. Helping animals cross the road

Another cost to biodiversity is the sheer number of vehicles on the road, particularly in car-obsessed US. Birds, deer, squirrels, frogs, and other creatures are at risk of becoming roadkill, with tens of thousands of animals hit every year per state. As well as the immediate danger of being hit by cars, the roads and highways blocking animals’ paths interfere with their natural migration patterns, taking a toll on the country’s ecosystems at large.

So, the U.S. Department of Transportation is offering $145 million to states that can devise wildlife crossings – ways of helping these animals safely cross these roads, whether by passing over or tunnelling under traffic.