#TeamTrees planted over 24 million trees within three years of its campaign launched on October 25, 2019. MrBeast, a popular YouTube creator whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, launched the #TeamTrees charity campaign with Mark Rober, another creator who’s also a former NASA engineer. The campaign was inspired by one of MrBeast’s fans on Reddit, who suggested that he plant 20 million trees to celebrate reaching 20 million YouTube subscribers.
The campaign promised to plant 20 million trees around the world by the end of 2022, with one tree planted for every dollar donated by supporters. The campaign received a lot of support and went viral pretty quickly. After just four days, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk added his support. He donated $1 million to the campaign.
On Tuesday, MrBeast announced that the #TeamTrees charity campaign successfully planted over 20 million trees around the world, fulfilling the promise to plant 20 million trees by the end of 2022.
The campaign met its funding goal just 6 days after the launch, with the most common donation amount being $5. Elon Musk wasn’t the only notable supporter. Jack Dorsey, Tobi Lutke, and Marc Benioff also donated. Elon Musk even changed his name to Treelon on Twitter after tweeting that he’d donate $1 million.
“We took over the internet to plant 20 million trees,” MrBeast said. “And now 20 million trees are in the ground! This is more than just hashtag activism.”
“Kids donated their tooth fairy money, bugged their parents, and organized their schools,” said Mark Rober. “Whether you donated $1 or just told a friend, you’re on the team for planet earth.”
The campaign planted the trees in 30 countries and 11 U.S. states with its planting partner, The Arbor Day Foundation. Locations include the Andes Mountains in Peru and the mangrove forests of Brazil, located near the Atlantic Ocean.
In my region, #TeamTrees planted 1 million trees along the Mississippi Delta, which was once a 24-million-acre forested wetland. #TeamTrees noted that only 4.4 million forested acres remain in small patches. “Tree planting efforts will improve critical habitat for threatened and endangered species and protect the water quality of the rivers and streams within the delta,” it said. You can view the full list of locations here.
#TeamTrees also supported reforestation efforts in Paradise, California, where one of the most destructive wildfires in U.S. history took place.
Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, said that the nonprofit was proud to be partnered with #TeamTrees.
“We are incredibly proud to be the official planting partner for #TeamTrees.The internet came together to place its trust in this effort, and these 20 million trees in the ground are proof it was well-placed,” said Lambe.
Matt Fitzgerald, #TeamTrees Co-Founder & Campaign Director, emphasized the importance of trees as an integral part of the solution to climate change.
“We said all along that planting trees isn’t a silver bullet for climate change, but trees are a key part of the solution. What’s even more important is inviting people into collective action for the planet. This is a moment when we need all the help we can get. Now imagine what this team could do next,” Fitzgerald said.
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Elon Musk
Tesla Megapack powers $1.1B AI data center project in Brazil
By integrating Tesla’s Megapack systems, the facility will function not only as a major power consumer but also as a grid-supporting asset.
Tesla’s Megapack battery systems will be deployed as part of a 400MW AI data center campus in Uberlândia, Brazil. The initiative is described as one of Latin America’s largest AI infrastructure projects.
The project is being led by RT-One, which confirmed that the facility will integrate Tesla Megapack battery energy storage systems (BESS) as part of a broader industrial alliance that includes Hitachi Energy, Siemens, ABB, HIMOINSA, and Schneider Electric. The project is backed by more than R$6 billion (approximately $1.1 billion) in private capital.
According to RT-One, the data center is designed to operate on 100% renewable energy while also reinforcing regional grid stability.
“Brazil generates abundant energy, particularly from renewable sources such as solar and wind. However, high renewable penetration can create grid stability challenges,” RT-One President Fernando Palamone noted in a post on LinkedIn. “Managing this imbalance is one of the country’s growing infrastructure priorities.”
By integrating Tesla’s Megapack systems, the facility will function not only as a major power consumer but also as a grid-supporting asset.
“The facility will be capable of absorbing excess electricity when supply is high and providing stabilization services when the grid requires additional support. This approach enhances resilience, improves reliability, and contributes to a more efficient use of renewable generation,” Palamone added.
The model mirrors approaches used in energy-intensive regions such as California and Texas, where large battery systems help manage fluctuations tied to renewable energy generation.
The RT-One President recently visited Tesla’s Megafactory in Lathrop, California, where Megapacks are produced, as part of establishing the partnership. He thanked the Tesla team, including Marcel Dall Pai, Nicholas Reale, and Sean Jones, for supporting the collaboration in his LinkedIn post.
Elon Musk
Starlink powers Europe’s first satellite-to-phone service with O2 partnership
The service initially supports text messaging along with apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Maps and weather tools.
Starlink is now powering Europe’s first commercial satellite-to-smartphone service, as Virgin Media O2 launches a space-based mobile data offering across the UK.
The new O2 Satellite service uses Starlink’s low-Earth orbit network to connect regular smartphones in areas without terrestrial coverage, expanding O2’s reach from 89% to 95% of Britain’s landmass.
Under the rollout, compatible Samsung devices automatically connect to Starlink satellites when users move beyond traditional mobile coverage, according to Reuters.
The service initially supports text messaging along with apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Maps and weather tools. O2 is pricing the add-on at £3 per month.
By leveraging Starlink’s satellite infrastructure, O2 can deliver connectivity in remote and rural regions without building additional ground towers. The move represents another step in Starlink’s push beyond fixed broadband and into direct-to-device mobile services.
Virgin Media O2 chief executive Lutz Schuler shared his thoughts about the Starlink partnership. “By launching O2 Satellite, we’ve become the first operator in Europe to launch a space-based mobile data service that, overnight, has brought new mobile coverage to an area around two-thirds the size of Wales for the first time,” he said.
Satellite-based mobile connectivity is gaining traction globally. In the U.S., T-Mobile has launched a similar satellite-to-cell offering. Meanwhile, Vodafone has conducted satellite video call tests through its partnership with AST SpaceMobile last year.
For Starlink, the O2 agreement highlights how its network is increasingly being integrated into national telecom systems, enabling standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites without specialized hardware.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s Starbase, TX included in $84.6 million coastal funding round
The funds mark another step in the state’s ongoing beach restoration and resilience efforts along the Gulf Coast.
Elon Musk’s Starbase, Texas has been included in an $84.6 million coastal funding round announced by the Texas General Land Office (GLO). The funds mark another step in the state’s ongoing beach restoration and resilience efforts along the Gulf Coast.
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham confirmed that 14 coastal counties will receive funding through the Coastal Management Program (CMP) Grant Cycle 31 and Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act (CEPRA) program Cycle 14. Among the Brownsville-area recipients listed was the City of Starbase, which is home to SpaceX’s Starship factory.
“As someone who spent more than a decade living on the Texas coast, ensuring our communities, wildlife, and their habitats are safe and thriving is of utmost importance. I am honored to bring this much-needed funding to our coastal communities for these beneficial projects,” Commissioner Buckingham said in a press release.
“By dedicating this crucial assistance to these impactful projects, the GLO is ensuring our Texas coast will continue to thrive and remain resilient for generations to come.”
The official Starbase account acknowledged the support in a post on X, writing: “Coastal resilience takes teamwork. We appreciate @TXGLO and Commissioner Dawn Buckingham for their continued support of beach restoration projects in Starbase.”
The funding will support a range of coastal initiatives, including beach nourishment, dune restoration, shoreline stabilization, habitat restoration, and water quality improvements.
CMP projects are backed by funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, alongside local partner matches. CEPRA projects focus specifically on reducing coastal erosion and are funded through allocations from the Texas Legislature, the Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax, and GOMESA.
Checks were presented in Corpus Christi and Brownsville to counties, municipalities, universities, and conservation groups. In addition to Starbase, Brownsville-area recipients included Cameron County, the City of South Padre Island, Willacy County, and the Willacy County Navigation District.
Tesla Megapack powers $1.1B AI data center project in Brazil
Starlink powers Europe’s first satellite-to-phone service with O2 partnership
