In the latest edition of Squirrel News, we delve into Antwerp’s initiative to distribute 2,000 free trees across the city, a cooperative-led solution to Amsterdam’s housing crisis, and Vermont’s fresh approach to addiction recovery.
Neighbourhood in bloom: Antwerp’s initiative to cultivate green spaces
As part of this movement, the Dutch city is distributing free trees to its residents. Until September 30th, Antwerp aims to distribute 2,000 trees of 20 different varieties to homeowners with available garden or unpaved spaces. Residents can pick suitable species through a brief questionnaire evaluating space and sunlight conditions.
Young Amsterdammers fight housing crisis with cooperative build
Through a mixture of bank loans, crowdfunding from friends and family and two bond issues, the 26-member group has raised almost €9m of the estimated €12 to €13m construction cost. With luck, work will begin by year-end. The cooperative will own the building, with every resident paying a monthly rent.
Building bonds: Vermont’s new hope for addiction recovery
A partnership between a recovery collective and an emergency medical services unit is offering tailored support for individuals battling alcohol and substance abuse. With a focus on ending homelessness, the scheme aims to provide sustainable care solutions for those in recovery.
Utah County offers cash for lawn conversions to save water
The programme incentivises homeowners to replace thirsty grass with drought-resistant flora, slashing landscape water consumption to a mere nine gallons per square foot yearly – a dramatic drop from conventional turf’s 37 gallons.
Physician still free of brain cancer one year after groundbreaking treatment
A year after undergoing a world-first treatment for glioblastoma, Australian doctor Richard Scolyer remains cancer-free – with the experimental therapy based on the pathologist’s own pioneering research on melanoma.
Comparing cycle-to-work schemes across Europe: the top contenders
Although the Netherlands provides a mileage allowance of €0.19 for every kilometre cycled, Italy and Belgium are beating this approach, granting commuters up to €0.24/km. Meanwhile, in Luxembourg, cyclists can deduct up to €300 from their personal income tax towards the purchase of a new bike.
In cities across the globe, the emergence of new skate plazas is showcashing an unexpected catalyst for urban renewal. The transformation is clear: spaces designed for skateboarding not only boost public safety but also inject a fresh, dynamic energy into city environments.
Alok Shukla, driven by his victory against the coal industry, hopes that his Goldman Prize win will inspire global grassroots movements and rekindle the spotlight on forest conservation efforts.
Once on the verge of collapse due to overfishing in the 1990s, Northern hake saw its overall biomass plummet to dangerously low levels. In 2004, the European Union stepped in with a comprehensive recovery plan, establishing science-driven fishing limits and implementing gear restrictions – with positive results.
Prejudices about Jews are still widespread today. Yet many young people in Germany have never consciously met a Jew. The project ‘Meet a Jew’ aims to change this by bringing Jewish volunteers together with school classes and clubs. In our new podcast episode, project coordinator Masha explains what the encounters achieve and why many participants are amazed by them.
