In today’s edition, we’re talking about the 29% decline of litter on EU beaches between 2015 and 2021, the CDC figures showing a drop in the number of deaths from diabetes in the US, and the immersive programme making sure the Cherokee language is protected for the next generation.
Litter on EU coastlines down by almost a third in five years
The European Environmental Agency (EEA) reports an overall decline of litter on EU beaches of 29% between 2015 and 2021, with single-use plastics considered alone down by 40%.
French NGO Gaia First is working to divert billions of tonnes of plastic pollution from coastal communities. The goal is to reduce them back to the raw elements they’re made of, often hydrocarbons, before reusing them as energy.
Diabetes deaths fall to lowest levels in years, early CDC figures suggest
In 2024, the US saw roughly 26.4 deaths per 100,000 people from diabetes. Back in 2021, this number stood at 31.1, when it was the eighth leading cause of death.
The House voted to raise the minimum raise of marriage to 18, noting that married teenagers lack the legal rights of adults, meaning that they can’t initiate divorce, hire a lawyer, or access many resources for victims of abuse.
Finland set to restrict the use of smartphones during the school day
Lawmakers argue that concern over student wellbeing and the quality of their learning environment were the driving factors behind the new policy, which is expected to come into effect in August.
What happened to the first city that tried to ban smartphones for under-14s?
It’s a year since teachers in St Albans asked parents not to give younger children smartphones. How successful have they been? What do the kids think about it? And has it made the adults think about their own addiction?
Simple green infrastructure fixes give New Orleans levees time to fight floods
Urban planners and nonprofits in New Orleans say that even small amounts of water kept out of the city’s drainage system can help keep flood waters at bay. The 150 small-scale fixes, including rain gardens, vegetated ditches, and home drainage improvements, can capture up to 190,000 gallons of water.
Popemobile set to become mobile health clinic for Gaza children
At the request of the late Pope Francis, the vehicle used during his visit to Bethlehem in 2014 will be refitted with everything necessary for frontline care in a war zone, including rapid tests, suture kits, syringes, oxygen supplies, vaccines and a small fridge for storing medicine.
The New Kituwah Academy in Cherokee, North Carolina is preserving the critically endangered language thanks to an immersion programme involving classes, lunch and after-school activities conducted primarily in Cherokee.
