Brooklyn’s new approach to sex work, Black churches preach mental health care, major victory for Nigerian farmers

| Posted on February 1, 2021 |

Photo: Matteo Modica/Unsplash (CC0)

In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re looking at a groundbreaking legal move to provide tangible support to Brooklyn’s sex workers, a growing movement in Black church communities to embrace mental health care, and a ruling by a Dutch court ordering Shell to compensate Nigerian farmers affected by oil spills.

Brooklyn will redirect sex workers to support services and vacate prostitution warrants

The DA’s initiative aims to protect women and marginalised communities by offering wide-ranging support services instead, including assistance for substance abuse, housing issues and mental health problems.

Source: The Hill

Churches in Black communities are preaching the benefits of mental health care

The move marks a substantial shift in the narrative surrounding psychological treatment in certain churches, in which congregations were advised to “pray away” conditions.

Source: Reasons To Be Cheerful

Nigerian farmers defeat oil giants in landmark ruling

The major ruling comes after a 13-year-long campaign to hold the oil company accountable for damaging and destroying lands by using poorly maintained leaking pipelines.

Source: NPR

A groundbreaking COVID-19 treatment has accidentally been found in a cancer drug

Research suggests that Aplidin is approximately 27.5 times more effective in animals than Remdesivir, with the drug soon to enter the regulatory approval phase of legalisation.

Source: Observer

The world’s first home hydrogen battery can power the average home for two days

It stores roughly 40 kilowatt-hours worth of energy, and comprises an electrolysis and fuel cell power system alongside a hydrogen storage array.

Source: New Atlas

Europe’s farmed salmon sector will only use deforestation-free soy

The move comes as the first large-scale change within the commercial fishing industry to protect the Brazilian rainforest through their supply chain.

Source: Mongabay

A Finnish city has launched an urban ski-sharing programme in a global first

Lahti residents will be able to borrow a pair of skis in order to travel safely and easily when other transportation methods are tricky due to snowfall.

Source: Fast Company

Worker-owned cooperatives are giving financial independence to communities

By building their own investment networks and fundraising collectively, local communities are more informed as to how this capital can be deployed most effectively.

Source: Next City

Bat boxes, “greened” streets and bug hotels: Barcelona embraces its wild side

The spring lockdown brought butterflies and biodiversity to the Spanish city, and inspired a reimagining of its relationship with nature.

Source: The Guardian

“Making our home safe again”: meet the women who clear land mines

After decades of war, more and more women are working to remove lethal mines and IEDs from the fields and cities of their homelands. It’s dangerous, but it’s helping to rebuild their lives.