$10 radios help in fight against FGM, highest percentage of female CEOs, a million more trees for NYC

Leslie Boltron | Posted on February 21, 2022 |

Photo: Annie Spratt / Unsplash (CC0)

Today in Squirrel News we take a look at how Africans are using communication in the fight against female genital mutilation, the percentage of female CEOs taking charge in Singapore, and a project seeking to grow a million more trees in New York as climate change continues to threaten public health.

How $10 radios and taxi bikes are helping to end the mutilation of girls

Across the continent, young Africans are using their unique local knowledge and bargaining power to challenge beliefs about female genital mutilation.

Source: The Guardian

Singapore has highest percentage of women CEOs, report says

A Deloitte report says Singapore is home to the world’s highest percentage of female CEOs. Studies show a number of benefits of having women at the helm. These include the rise in gender equality and business success.

Source: The Straits Times

Million More Trees’ program aims to combat climate change impact in New York

Approximately 350 New Yorkers die on average every year from natural causes exacerbated by the heat, according to data from NYC Health Department. The ‘Million More Trees’ program aims to boost public health in the face of climate change.

Source: CBS New York

Environment protection now part of Italy constitution

Politicians and activists laud Italy’s move to add environmental protection in its constitution. The constitutional law says the state must safeguard the environment, biodiversity and the ecosystem “also in the interest of future generations”.

Source: Reuters

First time in history: train driver jobs up for grabs for women in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia was one of the countries with the lowest female workforce participation rates for decades. But now it sees an upward trend following a number of social reforms such as lifting the ban on women driving.

Source: BBC

Nairobi woman turns plastic trash into sustainable bricks for buildings

Kenyan Materials engineer Nzambi Matee called for all plastic non recyclable waste countrywide to convert it into bricks that are used in buildings. It is seven times stronger than the regular concrete bricks and reduces the plastic pollution in the country by a significant margin.

Source: Fempositive

Passivhaus: how to insulate your home against soaring heating bills

There are 1,500 Passivhaus buildings in the UK – and they have never been more popular. Each one is built – or retrofitted – to an internationally recognised “energy and comfort standard”.

Source: The Guardian

Local newspaper communicates science in the Swahili language

A Tanzanian journalist and medical doctor brings science closer to Kiswahili speakers through a newspaper called MwanaSayansi. It covers environment, health, and innovation in a language the audience love most.

Source: BBC

Lismore council returning land to traditional owners despite opposition

It was a historic land handback decision that established Lismore city council as a regional leader in reconciliation with First Nations people.

Source: The Guardian

Seed saving opens door to sustainable food web

Urban seed revolution is reaching a new height in London with an ambition to build an ample and distinct seed system that will give the society a supple food mesh without chemical contamination.