In today’s edition, we’re talking about the first river in England to have its legal rights recognised by a local authority, the mission to repurpose an aging ocean liner as the world’s largest artificial reef, and how the practice of silvopasture is reducing deforestation in the Amazon while keeping farmers happy.
Following successful models like those in New Zealand, Colombia and Canada, Lewes District Council in Sussex has agreed to formally recognise the rights of the River Ouse. The charter gives the waterway eight rights, including the right to flow, to be pollution-free, to have native biodiversity and to undergo regeneration and restoration.
Historic ocean liner to become the world’s largest artificial reef
The SS United States is being towed to Mobile, Alabama for prep work before it’s officially sunk off Florida’s Gulf Coast. The 1,000-foot vessel will become a barnacle-encrusted home to countless animal, plant and bacteria species as the world’s largest artificial reef.
Women made up 43% of Britain’s top boardrooms in 2024
In 2023, FTSE 350 companies saw women taking up positions on company boards in 40.2% of cases, with 33.5% of leadership roles also going to women. 2024 saw an increase: 43.4% of board of directors members are female, with leadership roles also increasing to 35.3%.
Trans migrants are finding safe havens on the Mexico-US border
As the current US administration continues to sign off on discriminatory executive actions targeting migrants as well as transgender and nonbinary people, Mexico is looking to develop more long-term and comprehensive support for LGBTQ migrants.
Green hydrogen is increasing likely to act as an exit ramp from fossil fuels
Clean hydrogen production is on the rise across the globe, with China, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden leading the way with production facilities that are in final planning or financing phases. Meanwhile, in the US, 67 green hydrogen projects are planned through at least 2029.
Stoves that plug into ordinary wall outlets have gains for health and climate
Gas stoves, which 47 million Americans use, release pollutants like nitrogen dioxide that has been linked to asthma and cancer-causing benzene. A new electric induction stove doesn’t just remove the health risk: it runs on 120 volts, meaning there’s no need to pay a licensed electrician to rewire to 240 volts, which many electric stoves require.
‘Green roofs deliver for biodiversity’: how Basel put nature on top
The roofs range from those on small office buildings to the vast open spaces that cover shopping malls, warehouses and hospitals. But what makes Basel stand out from many other cities that have pioneered green roofs, industry insiders say, is that it has insisted on using native seeds and plants – and not treated green roofs as a box-ticking exercise.
Colombia’s hotel for cows is tackling Amazon deforestation
Silvopasture – the intentional integration of trees, grasses, and livestock – has almost doubled the number of cows farmers can raise per hectare, while the dairy cattle produce more milk.
Monkey bridges are helping primates cross the road in Brazil
The indigenous Waimiri-Atroari people have joined forces with local conservationists to build canopy crossings across the BR-174: a 3,300km highway slicing through the Amazon.
How one Cornwall farmer is using beavers to stop flooding
Chris Jones, a beef farmer, is very proud of his beavers. “They are just extraordinary,†he says. Since releasing a couple into an enclosure on his Cornwall farm in 2017, he says they have saved it from drought, prevented flooding in the nearby village, boosted the local economy and even improved oyster beds in Falmouth Bay.
