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☆ New celestial images will create a 3D map of the universe
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Editor’s note: A version of this story appeared in CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Also this week, a new telescope opened our eyes to a fresh perspective of the universe. ESAThe first five images captured by the Euclid telescope showcase glimmering clusters of galaxies and stars. The telescope, launched in July, was designed to create the most detailed 3D map of the hidden “dark side” of the universe. Sign up here to receive in your inbox the next edition of Wonder Theory, brought to you by CNN Space and Science writers Ashley Strickland and Katie Hunt.

Persons: James Webb, Chandra, Lucy, Campi, Alessandro Carboni , Alessandro Carboni, Tibor Litauszki, Galatée, Farouk El, Baz, Yardangs, Leif Ristroph, Ristroph, Koji Murata, Andy Murray’s, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, Orion, ESA, Hemisphere, New York University’s Courant, Mathematical Sciences, ” Kyoto, CNN Space, Science Locations: Italy, Naples, Capri, Ischia, Bay, Hungarian, Europe, New York, Sardinia, China

☆ The Nature Conservancy photo contest 2023: Winners announced
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Arya Jyothi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

“A simple stream teeming with life turned into another world — a galaxy of greens and blues shining through a dark canvas,” said contest director and judging coordinator Alex Snyder of the winning image. Captured by Irina Petrova Adamatzky, this photograph shows the glowing skin of a corn snake under ultraviolet light. Irina Petrova Adamatzky/TNC Photo Contest 2023Some images depict the peril of the natural world, like photographer Raphael Alves’ winning photograph in the Climate category, illustrating rising rivers in Anama, Brazil, in May 2021. The Nature Conservancy hopes the images will raise awareness, evoke an emotional connection to the natural world, and help support global conservation efforts. “Additionally, photography has long been a tool used by scientists and researchers to document and monitor every aspect of our natural world.

Persons: Tibor Litauszki, Tibor, Litauszki, ”, Alex Snyder, Irina Petrova Adamatzky, Raphael Alves ’, “, Alves, Yellowstone, Snyder Organizations: CNN, Nature Conservancy, Conservancy Locations: Anama, Brazil

☆ Gabon Joins Blue Bond Wave With $500 Million Debt Refinancing
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Will Horner | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Gabon completed mainland Africa’s first-ever “debt-for-nature swap” Tuesday, refinancing $500 million of its debt and earmarking $163 million in savings for marine conservation, the latest in a burgeoning list of “blue bond” deals. In their place, Gabon issued a $500 million blue bond which matures in 2038. The coupon on the new blue bond was priced at 6.097%, lower than the coupons on the repaid bonds which were between 6.625%-7%. TNC says its blue bond deals have provided $400 million toward conservation efforts. Bank of America, which served as sole initial purchaser, structuring agent and bookrunner on the Gabon deal, declined to reveal its transaction fees.

Persons: Gabon’s, Bond, ”, Ali Bongo Ondimba, TNC wasn’t, Scott Nathan, TNC, Will Horner Organizations: —, Sustainable Business, Moody’s Investors Service, U.S . International Development Finance Corporation, Conservancy, Greenpeace, Bank of America Locations: Gabon, Africa, U.S, Belize, Seychelles, Barbados, Ecuador, Galápagos, william.horner

☆ India succeeds in reducing emissions rate by 33% over 14 years - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Sarita Chaganti Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File PhotoNEW DELHI, Aug 9 (Reuters) - India's greenhouse emissions rate dropped by a faster-than-expected 33% in 14 years as renewable energy generation rose and forest cover increased, according to two officials privy to latest assessment made for submission to the United Nations. India's rate of emissions intensity - the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted for every unit increase of gross domestic product (GDP) - fell by 33% from 2005 to 2019, officials privy to the preparations of the Third National Communication (TNC) report said. India's average rate of reduction in emissions increased to 3% annually in the period 2016-2019, from just about 1.5% in the period 2014-2016. The progress made on reducing emissions intensity should help India avert pressure by developed nations to stop using coal, the second official said. Recently, India has also been trying to promote green hydrogen, manufactured by splitting water molecules using renewable energy.

Persons: Adnan Abidi, Sarita Chaganti Singh, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, United Nations, National Communication, Reuters, Reuters . Central Electricity Authority, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India

Jefferies says it's "all revved up" on car rental company Hertz . The firm initiated coverage on Hertz with a buy rating and a $24 price target, implying shares jumping 30% from Monday's close. We see structural benefits from a maintenance and pricing perspective related to [a] higher mix of EVs," Moore said. In this blue sky scenario, we see the potential for another $1bn+ in EBITDA opportunity at 20-30+% margins," the analyst added. Hertz shares were up 1.4% Wednesday before the bell.

Persons: Jefferies, it's, Stephanie Moore, Moore, Hertz, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Hertz, EV Locations: Monday's

☆ This startup that connects conservation projects with funders just raised $8 million. Check out the 30-slide pitch deck Lemu used to secure the fresh capital.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A startup hoping to channel more cash into conservation via its app just raised $8 million. Chilean startup Lemu is developing a marketplace that ranks conservation projects on priority and impact. A Chilean startup connecting conservation projects with funders just raised $8 million. It plans to list and rank high-priority and high-impact conservation projects in the hope that the app's users will donate money, or "invest," in them. It will have two ranking features: LemiImpact, a local-level impact ranking based on potential project outcomes, and LemuRank, which is a global ranking of high-priority conservation efforts.

☆ Analysis: First U.S. coral insurance marks the rise of the reef brigades
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Clare Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

On Monday, the global 'Reef Brigades' plan came closer to reality when it bought an insurance policy on behalf of the state of Hawaii, the first U.S. coral insurance contract, which will provide funds for repair work, building on similar policies taken out in the Caribbean. Apart from being a precious nursery for fish, coral reefs that fringe developed coastlines can limit flooding by providing a barrier against ocean storm surges, meaning insurers have every interest in protecting them. For the premium of $110,000 in Hawaii's contract announced on Monday, that state will get up to $2 million of insurance protection for its coral reefs until the end of December 2023. Just offshore from some of the country's most famous Mayan ruins, local tourism businesses and the government bought an insurance policy to cover their share of the Mesoamerican Reef. Willis Towers Watson, which worked on the MAR Fund policy and the Hawaii policy, said it is actively working on a coral reef policy for Fiji, and policies for coral reef bleaching, run-off due to excessive rainfall, and lost fishing days due to climate change-induced storms.

☆ The best nature photos of 2022 include giraffes fighting by 'necking,' neon green mushrooms, and a baby elephant rescue
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

These giraffes look like they're being friendly or romantic, but necking, or swinging their heads and necks into each other, is actually how they fight. Torie Hilley/Courtesy TNC Photo Contest 2022

☆ Barbados issues world's first pandemic-protected bond
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Barbados' new bond - finalised in a deal with bankers on Wednesday - is likely to leave an even bigger imprint, especially with smaller, tourism-dependent countries that were pushed to the brink of economic collapse during the COVID-19 pandemic. "And hence we would not be facing the kind of debt crises that many countries are about to face". Credit Suisse banker Ramzi Issa, who led on some of the key financing aspects on the bond deal which involved a buyback, said it was "hugely significant". "It is like a dose of vaccine for your debt," said Sui-Jim Ho, a partner at Cleary Gottlieb - the law firm that helped craft the clause for Barbados. The bond deal has an ecological feature too.

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