We’re wrapping up the week at Squirrel News talking about China’s 46-year campaign to surround the Taklamakan desert with trees, a green energy milestone in the UK, and the Zimbabwean senate voting to bring a formal end to the practice of capital punishment.
China creates 3000km green belt around its largest desert
After a 46-year campaign, China has finished a mammoth project to encircle its largest desert with trees. The 3000km (2000 mile) green belt around the Taklamakan was completed on Thursday in the northwestern region of Xinjiang as part of national efforts to curb sandstorms and reduce desertification.
Green power is set to overtake fossil fuels in UK first
37% of electricity in the UK is set to come from low-carbon resources – such as wind, solar, and hydropower – in comparison to 35% from fossil fuels, according to a new report.
Zimbabwe senate votes to abolish the death penalty
The new legislation comes as a big step towards officially eliminating a law that hasn’t been applied in almost 20 years – partly due to a shortage of individuals willing to take on the role of executioner. Capital punishment is set to be officially abolished as soon as president Emmerson Mnangagwa signs is, which is anticipated.
Biden commutes 1,500 sentences in biggest single-day act of clemency
The 1,500 people had been serving long prison sentences that would have been shorter under today’s laws and practices. The outgoing president has also pardoned 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes.
Breakthrough drug offers a step towards the end of the HIV epidemic
In a clinical trial conducted across Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Thailand and the US, Lenacapavir was found to be 96% effective in preventing HIV infections in over 3,200 participants.
Guaranteed income programmes are reducing postpartum depression rates
In the US, the traditional approach to parenthood has mostly been to leave families to handle the transition by themselves: it’s one of the only countries in the world without paid parental leave. Across the US, cities are experimenting with a simple solution: a universal basic income during pregnancy and for the first year postpartum.
Mexican senate approves reforms to improve conditions for app drivers
The new legislations means that drivers for ride-hailing and delivery services – like DiDi, Rappi and Uber – will receive work benefits such as access to social security programmes, as well as a Christmas bonus.
Texas Trees Foundation brings thousands of trees to Dallas
The move is part of a five-year plan to make South Dallar greener, where the urban heat island effect is a contentious issue. The foundation will supply the trees while also teaching residents how to best take care of them.
The US’s Easternmost city is a blueprint for a renewable future
The island of Eastport, Maine uses a community microgrid based on tidal and solar power to protect itself from outages – and could be a future-proofed model for the rest of the nation.
The “solo agers” creating a support network for seniors without families
Although limited resources exists for members of older generations living alone, a growing number of groups, conferences, and more are springing up across the US.
