From scientific discoveries to activist wins, here’s the latest news stories showcasing the people taking on climate change and nature loss.

🚮 Capturing waste carbon

Rather than burying organic waste in a landfill, releasing the potent GHG methane, a plant in Oslo burns it and uses the energy to heat the city. And now, up to 90% of the carbon emissions released during this process will be captured and stored under the North Sea, filling the caverns left behind during oil and gas exploration. The project hopes to remove 100,000 metric tons of carbon this way over a two-year period, and in theory, the process can be replicated in over 500 sites across Europe.

🚽 A clean(ish) pesticide

In another use for waste products: as well as acting as an effective fertiliser, human urine left in the sun can also ward off pests (perhaps due to the pungent smell, researchers note). This all-natural resource doesn’t carry the harmful effects of its synthetic counterpart, and has been trialled in Niger, where insect infestations threaten the livelihoods of farmers who struggle to afford chemical pesticides.

👗 How clothing rentals can conquer the market

On the surface, renting clothes seems like a no-brainer for combating the toll – and seemingly endless appeal – of fast fashion. But in reality, these businesses struggle to achieve profitability thanks to the high costs that come with cleaning and checking the quality of clothes every time they’re returned. New research suggests a way that clothing rentals can be successful: by going niche. The trick is focusing on expensive but rarely-worn clothes, such as outdoor wear – after all, post-skiing trip, the suit you bought for the occasion will likely just collect dust.