Food delivery co-ops, reducing road accidents in Spain, supporting New York’s LGBT youth

| Posted on May 19, 2021 |

Photo: Mart Production / Pexels (CC0)

In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re looking at worker-led food delivery cooperatives across Europe, wide-ranging new traffic laws in Spain aimed at reducing road accidents, and New York’s largest ever work programme helping LGBT youth avoid homelessness and find financial security.

The food delivery co-ops putting fairness into the gig economy

Across Europe, worker-led delivery collectives are springing up to reclaim control from corporate platforms.

Source: The Guardian

Spain introduces sweeping changes to tackle road traffic accidents

Amongst a variety of other measures, a new 30km/h speed limit will be introduced on most urban streets in order to protect cyclists and pedestrians.

Source: El Pais

NYC launches largest-ever work programme for LGBT youth

The Unity Works initiative will tackle homelessness and financial insecurity by helping at-risk youth secure internships and job interviews alongside education, training, and mental health support.

Source: NBC News

New app maps safe spaces for queer Black people

Lavender Book will allow users to log inclusive and LGBT friendly businesses, while also highlighting locations where they have had negative experiences due to their skin colour or gender identity.

Source: NBC News

Australia has opened its first solar panel recycling plant

The plant aims to recycle and repurpose 100% of all solar PV modules through a safe, efficient and chemical-free process.

Source: Interesting Engineering

A small bank is writing the blueprint for ethical investment

New Resource Bank values people and planet over profits, making customers think hard about where traditional banks invest their money.

Source: Next City

Pilot programme hopes to prevent at-risk parolees from relapsing

With a large number of former inmates heading back to jail due to parole violations, a new initiative hopes to reduce this figure by helping individuals stay clean and sober.

Source: The New York Times

Securing a swift return: how a simple brick can help migratory birds

Many swifts flying back to Britain will find their summer nests lost to building renovations – but bird bricks are offering them an alternative home.

Source: The Guardian

Conservationists celebrate as rheas are reintroduced to Chile’s Patagonia region

Despite the flightless bird being hunted to near-extinction due to illegal hunting, substantial conservation efforts have resulted in the reintroduction of a small population.

Source: Reuters

Portland cemeteries are being transformed into green community spaces

Ed Bixby’s campaign to protect and clean up local internment spaces aims to maximise space for the living whilst also remaining respectful towards the not-so-living.