We’re closing out the week at Squirrel News talking about Italy becoming much safer over the last thirty years, Angola performing the first successful robotic surgery at a distance of 11,000km, and the EU’s most coal-dependent country taking another step away from the fossil fuel.
Despite seeing roughly three homicides per 100,000 in the early 1990s, Italy is now safer than many of its European neighbours: since then, rates have fallen largely following intensified efforts from the Italian government to combat mafia-related deaths.
Clean energy overtakes coal for first time in Poland
Although having historically been the country most heavily dependent on coal within the EU, the Eastern European nation has hit a big milestone: coal contributed less than half of Poland’s total electricity output over a full quarter.
LGBT rights take big step forward in Ukraine thanks to landmark ruling
In Kyiv’s Desniansky District Court, a same-sex couple has been formally recognised as a family in the first legal precedent of its kind in Ukraine. Although Ukraine doesn’t currently legally acknowledge such marriages or partnerships, the court ruling could serve as a critical legal milestone in expanding LGBT rights.
Mexico’s Senate unanimously approves nationwide ban on dolphin shows
Sparked by public outrage over animal welfare violations, the 99-0 vote earlier this week amended the General Wildlife Law to prohibit the “extractive exploitation” of marine mammals, with exceptions for verified scientific research.
Green roofs cut microplastics in rainfall by 97.5%, study suggests
Plant filled rooftops, or green roofs, have been shown to reduce urban “heat island” effects, which in turn curbs stormwater runoff and lowers energy costs in buildings.
The organisations upcycling leftover hotel soap for those in need
Since 2014, Eco-Soap Bank has diverted over 14 million pounds of soap from landfills around the world. Meanwhile, Soap Aid collects, sorts, cleans and reprocesses soap from across Australia and New Zealand into fresh, hygienic soap bars before redistributing it to communities in need.
Researchers replant underwater forests to revive marine habitats
In Greece’s northern Cyclades, marine scientists are teaming up to restore the underwater forests of Cystoseira – a brown algae important for biodiversity – around the uninhabited island of Gyaros.
The guerrilla movement growing plants to protect shorelines from storms
Volunteers across Florida are growing red mangrove trees to buffer the coastline from rising seas and major weather events. Last month alone, volunteers on Sanibel Island planted 500 red mangrove seedlings that had been taken care of by local residents over months.
Bulgaria’s vulture population is on the rise after centuries of bird persecution
Major reintroduction efforts mean that Europe is one of the few places across the globe where vulture populations are growing. The birds play an essential role in ecosystems, feeding on dead animal remains and subsequently helping to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.
