It’s the start of a new month – which means it’s time for our September round up! From medical breakthroughs such as the world’s first mpox vaccine to the first G7 nation ending the use of coal for energy purposes, there’s a lot to celebrate from the past four weeks.
How a German professor plans to grow millions of trees in the Sahara
A German scientist is looking to turn part of the Sahara desert into forest. Through the Sahara Renaissance Project, he’s aiming to green an area in the Mauritanian desert the size of Wales – and change the landscape throughout North Africa in the long run.
Source: Squirrel News
WHO approves first mpox vaccine, paving the way for distribution in Africa
The approval of the vaccine, developed by Danish company Bavarian Nordic, allows global donors like UNICEF and Gavi to procure doses and send them to Africa, where the Democratic Republic of the Congo is at the center of an outbreak with thousands of reported cases.
Source: AP News
Britain becomes first G7 nation to end coal power
The last remaining coal power plant in Britain – found in Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire – is set to cease electricity generation today after 57 years. The move comes as one of the final stages of the government’s coal phase-out strategy initiated almost a decade ago.
Source: France 24
Manchester’s ‘housing first’ pilot aims to lead UK in eradicating rough sleeping
Inspired by Finland’s approach to homelessness, Greater Manchester’s ‘housing first’ pilot has housed over 400 people with no conditions attached. Mayor Andy Burnham plans to expand the initiative, aiming to make the region the first in the UK to fully adopt this model.
Source: The Guardian
The Hague becomes world’s first city to pass law banning fossil fuel-related ads
The legislation spells the end of publicly and privately funded advertising for petrol and diesel, aviation and cruise ships in the streets of the Dutch city, including on billboards and bus shelters. It takes effect from the start of next year.
Source: The Guardian
California governor signs law banning all plastic bags in grocery stores
The choice of “paper or plastic” will soon be eliminated at California grocery store checkout lines. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law on Sunday that prohibits all plastic shopping bags. The legislation, passed by state lawmakers last month, will take effect in 2026.
Source: AP News
Junk food TV ads to be banned before 9pm in the UK
The UK government has confirmed that a ban on junk food ads airing on TV before 9pm will take effect on October 1, 2025. The Labour party also announced a full ban on paid online junk food ads, with both measures designed to combat childhood obesity.
Source: BBC News
California takes on fashion waste with groundbreaking textile recycling law
A new California bill aims to tackle fast fashion waste by requiring clothing producers to implement recycling programmes for their products. If passed, the law will reduce textile waste, cut landfill emissions, and help create a more sustainable, circular economy.
Source: The Guardian
Gyeonggi province launches South Korea’s first 4.5-day workweek pilot
Gyeonggi province is piloting South Korea’s first 4.5-day workweek across 50 companies, reducing working hours without any pay cuts to improve work-life balance and address declining birth rates.
Source: Korea Herald
Barcelona’s subways turn into power stations for EVs
Barcelona’s subway system uses regenerative braking to capture energy from trains, reducing emissions and powering EV chargers. This initiative could save 3.9 metric tons of CO2 annually.
Source: Grist
Skin cancer cases falling in Sweden among adults up to middle age
After decades of rising, skin cancer cases are finally falling in Sweden in 20 to 50 year olds. This is the first EU country to show the trend, which scientists attribute mainly to increased awareness about sun damage.
Source: Sveriges Radio
Stem cells reverse type 1 diabetes in world first
A 25-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes began to produce her own insulin within three months of receiving a transplant of reprogrammed stem cells. This treatment marks the first instance of a patient with the disease being successfully treated with stem cells harvested from their own body.
Source: Nature
FDA approves first new schizophrenia medication in over three decades
Bristol Myers Squibb’s Cobenfy combines xanomeline and trospium chloride into a twice-daily pill. Clinical trials have shown its effectiveness in alleviating symptoms commonly associated with schizophrenia, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorganised thinking.
Source: ABC News
Louisville’s ‘Trees as Medicine’ sets new standards for urban health
A groundbreaking study in Louisville, Kentucky found that planting 8,000 trees in urban neighbourhoods reduced residents’ inflammation levels by up to 20%, lowering risks for heart disease and cancer.
Source: Bloomberg
How a health train is bringing free care to communities across South Africa
The Phelophepa train (meaning “good, clean health” in Sesotho) has been turned into a rolling healthcare clinic. Travelling across South Africa for most of the year, it offers essential medical services to people of all ages who often face long waits and overcrowded clinics in their local areas.
Source: AP News
Delivering HIV meds by drone: reaching young Kenyans in new ways
In Kenya, getting HIV health info to young people can be a challenge. To bridge the gap, a project backed by the Elton John AIDS Foundation is teaming up with drone company Zipline, delivering HIV medication and testing kits to popular spots like concerts and football matches.
Source: BBC News
Alabama company cuts medical debt with free clinic, pharmacy for employees
To reduce medical debt, Phifer, an Alabama manufacturer, opened a free clinic and pharmacy for employees, covering everything from checkups to prescriptions. This initiative has improved workers’ health, cut company healthcare costs, and allowed employees to save more for retirement.
Source: KFF Health News
Hospitals partner with food programmes to provide patients with nutritious meals
Healthcare providers and anti-hunger organisations have long recognised the link between diet and health. Now, these groups are joining forces to make sure patients leave the hospital with access to nutritious food.
Source: Reasons To Be Cheerful
Historic UK village transformed from dereliction to ‘delight’
After suffering crime and decay, a heritage project in the historic railway village of Swindon has brought renovation to buildings and public spaces. Residents say the transformation is ‘remarkable’.
Source: BBC
The architect excavating the past to build Africa’s future
Mariam Issoufou, one of the continent’s most-sought after designers, draws inspiration from the traditional mud-brick building to create modern, sustainable structures.
Source: The Guardian
“Tree Army” defends Mexico’s trees from mistreatment
Founder Arturo Hernández and his team of tree defenders look for Mexican trees in trouble. The group is removing concrete poured on tree roots, standing up to illegal cutting, and planting trees in places of need.
Source: AP
Ashaninka tribe of the Amazon restores territory, sets sights on regional change
The Organization of Indigenous People of the Jurua River has secured a $6.8 million grant from the Amazon Fund – the world’s largest initiative against deforestation. Using the Apiwtxa community as a model, the funding will focus on Indigenous land management, sustainable food production, and more.
Source: AP News
Otters and innovative planting revive threatened kelp forests
A year into the otter reintroduction programme to control urchins that harm kelp, conservationists are also planting lab-grown kelp in raised beds above urchin reach. These efforts aim to restore vital kelp ecosystems while predator populations recover.
Source: PBS
15-year old ‘Kid of the Year’ could change skin cancer treatment
Conducting science experiments since the age of four, Heman Bekele has invented a soap that could prevent or even cure many types of skin cancer.
Source: Time
The gardener preventing suicides in India
At 55, Babuli Behera has rescued more than 50 individuals from drowning after they attempted suicide. While tending to the gardens of Jobra Park in Cuttack, Babuli remains ever-watchful of the Mahanadi River – trained to spot any signs of distress.