Puffin colony population puffs up

2023 was another good year for Atlantic puffins. After a rough 2021, the species had a second successful rebound year for fledging chicks. The sea birds’ resilience and ability to reproduce, despite increasing threats due to climate change, is a glimmer of hope for scientists. 

The colonies of puffins, off the coast of Maine, are now considered a stable population, with 3,000 birds waddling about.

NYU to divest from fossil fuels

New York University made moves to champion campus climate action. In a huge victory for student activists, NYU, one of the largest private universities in the U.S., will move away from fossil fuels as it strives to meet its net-zero goals. 

The divestiture from fossil fuels means they will “avoid any direct investments in any company whose primary business is the exploration or extraction of fossil fuels, including all forms of coal, oil, and natural gas, and not to renew or seek out any dedicated private funds whose primary aim is to invest in the exploration or extraction of fossil fuels,” per the chair of NYU’s board of trustees.

US to revamp charging stations across the country

The Biden administration allocated $100 million to repair and replace existing electric vehicle charging stations in the U.S. This action will create thousands of good-paying clean energy jobs, while making EV chargers more accessible to folks across the country.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg cited this move, along with the Inflation Reduction Act, as how “America is leading the electric vehicle revolution.”

Climate Week hits the Big Apple

Climate Week NYC begins in just a few days. After a summer of record heat and numerous extreme weather events, this year is especially crucial for advancing climate action.

There are over 400 events planned across New York City centered on climate action, including an event at the United Nations focusing on cutting global emissions and the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, which will work on 2030 sustainability goals.