In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re talking about how a rural Chilean community is harvesting half a million litres of water from the air per year, the continuing phaseout of coal across the US, and Colombia’s innovative method to help premature infants bond with their mothers.
Chile communities defy Atacama desert expansion with fog nets
The nets are able to harvest approximately 500,000 litres of water annually, helping locals revive the mountain region’s vegetation and adapt to drought.
Source: Mongabay
Number of coal-fired power plants plummets in the US
The US energy sector’s dramatic pivot away from the CO2-heavy fossil fuel is happening faster than predicted – and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
Source: Grist
Venues are harnessing body heat to create clean energy
By sustainably capturing energy released from dance floors, clubbers and gig-goers are sustainably powering a growing number of nightclubs and concert venues.
Source: Reset
Detroit university develops programme to help dropouts finish what they started
Wayne State University’s new initiative offers former students the opportunity to re-enroll and have some of their student debt forgiven.
Source: Metro Times
Teens can now proactively block their nude images from social media
With teen sextortion cases on the rise, Take It Down allows minors to report and remove non-consensual content before it’s circulated online.
Source: ArsTechnica
Plastic wet wipes on track to be banned in England
The move comes as part of a series of measures designed to tackle water pollution in a country where no river or waterway is considered clean.
Source: BBC News
Germany launches €49 universal public transport ticket
Whilst easing the cost of living and helping Germany hit its climate targets, the initiative also hopes to encourage people to make the switch away from cars.
Source: Deutsche Welle
Baltimore introduces focused deterrence approach instead of police intervention
The city’s solutions-oriented Group Violence Reduction Strategy offers support to potential shooters and victims in lieu of law enforcement.
Source: AP News
Novel restoration project brings oyster population back from the brink
New research suggests that 3 million new oysters are living along Brisbane’s coastline, thanks to a volunteer-led artificial reef project.
Source: phys.org
GPS collars are giving Sumatra’s last wild elephants a fighting chance
The surveillance tech is helping to prevent violent incidents between elephants and humans – with not a single clash recorded over the past year.
Source: Rest Of World
Skin-to-skin ‘kangaroo’ care is saving Colombia’s premature babies
Instead of lying in an incubator, babies are wrapped tightly against their mother’s skin – reducing pressure on overcrowded units and helping infants thrive.