Glasgow to plant 18 million trees, Israel bans fur sales, multibillion-dollar plan to eradicate polio

Jonathan Widder | Posted on June 11, 2021 |

Photo: Past Glasgow/Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re talking about Glasgow’s impressive plan to plant ten trees for every resident over the course of the next decade, Israel’s decision to ban sales of fur, and the launch of a $5.1 billion programme to eradicate polio across the globe.

Glasgow to plant 18 million trees as city readies for Cop26 climate summit

The Clyde Climate Forest project hopes to plant 10 trees for every resident over the next ten years.

Source: The Guardian

Israel has banned the sale of fur in landmark legislation

The decision has been celebrated by animal rights activists, with Israel standing as the first state in the world to ban the practice.

Source: Live Kindly

A multibillion-dollar plan to eradicate polio has been launched

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative will target areas with low vaccination rates, using education programmes and improved access to healthcare facilities in an attempt to eliminate the virus.

Source: The New York Times

UK to trial “highly protected marine areas” in win for ocean campaigners

The historic move to ban destructive fishing methods in five habitats has been welcomed by conservationists, with bottom dredging and other harmful activities to be banned in these areas.

Source: The Guardian

Beach umbrella uses built-in solar panels to provide cooling and refrigeration

The design uses green energy to make beach visits a cooler and more comfortable experience, taking advantage of eco-friendly power sources in the process.

Source: Design Boom

Art restoration teams use bacteria to clean Michelangelo’s marble statues

The bacteria chomp their way through layers of grime and dirt built up over centuries, giving the statues a makeover and leaving the marble unharmed.

Source: The Verge

Dutch ecologists have invented a “fish doorcam” to connect residents with nature

The camera and bell were installed in a canal in Utrecht, with livestream viewers “ringing the bell” when they see a fish in order to alert lock managers.

Source: Euronews

Female conservations are rewilding Cambodia’s coastline

Action Aid’s campaign trains local women on mangrove forest management, helping them protect their local environment whilst encouraging local political activism.

Source: Positive News

Violence prevention group helps young men respond to conflict in a healthy way

The Baltimore-based Roca initiative is helping young people re-evaluate their emotional responses to stress and conflict through cognitive behavioural therapy.

Source: The Trace

A LGBT+ podcast is telling Singapore’s hidden gay stories

The podcast created by The SG Boys educates people on the realities of life as an LGBT+ person in Singapore, where gay sex is still illegal — and has gained a large international following.