☀️ Solar Power Plant Slashes 120,000 Tons of Emissions

Good morning. Today, Kyrgyzstan’s first solar power plant is up and running, set to save 120,000 tons of carbon emissions each year.

In Tajikistan, scientists are puzzled by a glacier that is actually growing while others disappear.

And in Saudi Arabia, the discovery of mummified cheetahs is sparking new ideas about reintroducing these animals to the region.

Each story offers a look at what’s changing, what’s surprising, and what people are trying right now.

👉 Our team will be off on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so we’ll see you on Wednesday, or Tuesday if you’re a premium subscriber.

—Stephanie S

Kyrgyzstan has launched its first solar power plant, a 100-megawatt facility that will generate enough clean electricity to power a small city. This milestone project is expected to save 120,000 tons of carbon emissions each year, marking a significant step in the country’s energy transition.

The plant, located east of the capital Bishkek, is one of the largest foreign investments in Kyrgyzstan since independence. It will produce 210 million kWh annually and help meet the region's growing energy demand.

Kyrgyzstan already relies heavily on hydropower, but seasonal changes mean fossil fuels are still needed. The new solar plant is part of a broader push that includes 12 additional renewable projects.

President Sadyr Japarov called the project a new phase in strengthening the nation's energy independence and sustainable development.

In a world where most glaciers are shrinking, one in Tajikistan’s Pamir Mountains is mysteriously growing. Scientists recently extracted ice cores spanning 30,000 years, hoping to uncover the secret behind its resilience.

The research could reveal clues to help protect other glaciers as the climate warms. Early findings show unusual dust and coloration deep within the ice.

This rare phenomenon inspires hope and curiosity for our planet’s future.

When two New Delhi teens saw their city’s air choked by burning trash, they didn’t just complain; they got to work. Inspired by one brother’s asthma, Vihaan and Nav Agarwal started separating waste at home, then rallied their neighbors to do the same.

Fast forward a few years, and their nonprofit, OneStepGreener, now manages waste in 14 cities and has recycled over 2 million pounds. Proof that a small idea can spark a big change.

Curious how they pulled it off? Take a look at their story for a dose of hope and ingenuity.

Scientists in Saudi Arabia have discovered seven naturally mummified cheetahs in caves, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s ancient wildlife. Genetic analysis revealed that both Asiatic and northwest African cheetah subspecies once roamed the Arabian Peninsula.

This find could guide efforts to reintroduce cheetahs to Saudi Arabia, building on the country’s success with restoring other native species.

The discovery also highlights the challenges and opportunities of international conservation partnerships.

🐝 Dominican Republic: Scientists discovered that prehistoric bees made nests in the bones of animals eaten by giant owls in a Caribbean cave.

🎨 New Zealand: An artist in Christchurch installed official-looking but humorous signs as public art to surprise and delight passersby.

🐆 Arizona: A wild jaguar was photographed in Arizona for the first time in years, renewing hope that the elusive big cats are returning to their U.S. habitats.

💼 UK: Britain passed a historic labor law expanding worker protections, marking a significant step forward for workers’ rights and well-being.

🐦 Northern Ireland: A bird species believed to be gone from the region made a surprise comeback when a rare nightjar was rescued on a Belfast street.

49 years ago today, Frampton Comes Alive! was voted Album of the Year in a Rolling Stone readers’ poll, cementing Peter Frampton’s place in rock history. The double live album stayed on the charts for an extraordinary 97 weeks and was still No. 14 on Billboard’s 1977 year-end album chart. It reached No. 1 in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, and went on to be certified eight-times platinum.

The album was assembled from recordings at four shows between June and November 1975, primarily at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom and the Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Its massive success helped make Frampton Comes Alive! one of the best-selling live albums of all time and a defining record of the 1970s rock era.

Other notable January 16 events:

1605: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes was published in Madrid.

1939: Superman debuted as a daily newspaper comic strip.

1957: The Cavern Club opened in Liverpool, later becoming central to The Beatles’ rise.

1992: El Salvador signed a peace agreement ending 12 years of civil war.

— William Hazlitt

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

♻️ Advanced Recycling: Advanced recycling technologies are converting hard-to-recycle plastics into new materials and fuels.

💧 Solar Desalination: Solar-powered desalination plants are supplying fresh water to drought-stricken regions.

🚍 Electric Transit: Public transport electrification is cutting city emissions and improving air quality.

🚁 Agro Drones: Smart agriculture drones are planting seeds and monitoring growth in hard-to-reach areas.

🌱 Algae Farms: Urban algae farms are turning rooftops into biofuel producers and air purifiers.

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