Today in Squirrel News, nations have reached a historic agreement to protect the oceans, German elementary schools teach happiness, and a programme in southern Arizona gives single moms access to free higher education.
After 10 years of negotiations, nations have reached a historic agreement to protect the world’s oceans. The High Seas Treaty aims to designate 30% of the oceans as protected areas by 2030 to protect and recover marine nature.
16 elementary schools in Braunschweig, Germany have integrated a weekly happiness course in response to a surge in anxiety and depression among youth caused by the pandemic.
Programme gives single moms access to free higher education
Pathways for Single Moms has partnered with a community college to expand its reach. The programme offers free tuition, child care and a stipend for transportation and other expenses.
US non-profit helps people held in jails pre-trial who cannot afford bail
In the US, most of the over 400,000 who are incarcerated pending trial cannot afford to bail. A non-profit is now assisting these individuals, particularly low-income persons of colour.
Scotland to ban environmentally harmful anaesthetic
Desflurane, a gas used to keep patients unconscious during surgery, has a 2,500-fold higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide. Scotland has become the first country to stop the use of the anaesthetic in its hospitals.
Bacteria-killing viruses could be key to fighting antibiotic resistance
A leading UK scientist is pushing for bacteriophages to be used as standard medicine as the risks linked to antibiotic resistance rise. The approach could become the routine treatment for conditions like chronic UTIs.
Vertical farming in Wyoming makes fresh produce available within reach
Cultivating leafy greens is a struggle in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, due to the short growing season. But thanks to the first vertical farm in North America, the produce no longer needs to be sourced from thousands of miles away.
In Rwanda, food production has been slow, causing vendors to sell imported fish. But one project seeks to change that by using a recirculating agriculture system, as well as giving farmers free fish and training for sustainable farming.
Restoration turns pastures into wildlife haven in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest
In two decades, the nonprofit has planted 750,000 trees, seen a return of hundreds of birds, and reintroduced the lowland tapir to Rio de Janeiro for the first time in 100 years.
