In today’s edition of Squirrel News, D.C. begins providing solar panels for low-income households, pedestrian infrastructure can improve health and Mexican gray wolf numbers grow again.
D.C. plans to extend solar power generation to low-income households
In a bid to fully transition to sustainable energy, the US government plans to increase solar power production by 700%. As part of this programme, Washington D.C. is helping low-income households generate their own energy.
Pedestrian infrastructure key to better health outcomes
A study using Google street view’s technology is helping scientists and city planners better understand the impact of sidewalks, or the lack thereof, on the physical and psychological health of residents.
Recycled glass used as sand to help restore coastline
In Louisiana, pulverised glass is recycled into a sand-replacement that can be used in more sustainable construction and to help restore the region’s coastlines.
With about 8.4 million people in the U.S. diagnosed with diabetes, insulin costs have been a serious financial burden for many. Now a price cap will help those who struggled financially to get their medication.
Washington State University aims to bring more pharmacists to rural areas
Residents of rural Washington State often have trouble finding a working pharmacy near them, due to labour shortages. Now, a new programme aims to attract pharmacology graduates to help service these areas.
Online programme to limit child sexual abuse launched in multiple countries
A treatment programme, called ‘Prevent It’ has been developed to provide cognitive behavioral therapy for individuals who exhibit sexual urges towards children. It has been translated into a variety of EU languages and will be launched across the continent.
Prisons produce a lot of excess carbon. Both social justice and greener policies could come together to help convert the prisons and jails into something more sustainable.
Community programme helps prevent flooding in a Maharashtra village
The residents of Kondgaon-Sakharpa, which was often beset by frequent, destructive floods, have banded together to form the Kajli River Conservation Committee. They work with technicians and conservationists to raise the banks of the river. Now they have been without a flood in two years.
Once highly endangered, Mexican gray wolf numbers are now growing again, after a successful reintroduction over twenty years ago. While not out of danger yet, the population has doubled over the last six years.
A “silent café” where one has to order in sign language
Disabled people struggle with stigamitsation across Africa, so activists have developed a number of programmes to educate the population. One is a “silent café,” run by the deaf and the other a VR game designed to simulate the experience of autism.
