It’s the start of a new month, which means it’s our pleasure to present a roundup of our editors’ top picks in the realm of solutions journalism from March! From France’s groundbreaking legislation reining in the fast fashion frenzy to Tennessee’s pioneering law safeguarding artists against AI impersonation, there’s a lot to get excited about in today’s special edition.
UN report shows historic drop in global childhood mortality
The latest UN findings reveal a dramatic decrease in deaths among children under five, showcasing the impact of improved healthcare and vaccination efforts.
France passes first-of-its-kind legislation to curb fast fashion’s impact
France will apply criteria such as volumes of clothes produced and turnover speed of new collections in determining what constitutes fast fashion, according to the law. A surcharge linked to fast fashion’s ecological footprint of €5 (£4.20) an item is planned from next year, rising to €10 by 2030.
EU Parliament, Council agree to ban forced labour products
The European Union agrees to prohibit products made with forced labour from entering its single market. This move aims to disrupt the exploitative business practices of companies involved.
EU greenlights law mandating supply chain human rights compliance
European Union member nations have reached consensus on legislation mandating companies with over 1000 workers to maintain environmental and human rights criteria within their supply chains.
New EPA rule strictly limits auto emissions, intends to hasten switch to electric vehicles
An historic new climate regulation from the Biden Administration aims to significantly improve air quality and spur the move to electric such that by 2032, more than half of new cars should be zero emissions.
MEPs greenlight groundbreaking AI legislation in world first
The European Parliament has approved pioneering legislation aimed at mitigating the risks associated with artificial intelligence. Known as the AI Act, this comprehensive framework categorises AI products based on their risk levels and applies corresponding levels of scrutiny.
Tennessee enacts first law protecting artists from AI impersonation
Tennessee leads with a new law to shield musicians from unauthorised AI mimicry. The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act introduces AI-specific protections to prevent the misuse of an artist’s voice, bolstering the state’s legacy as a music powerhouse.
Spain bans domestic flights with comparable train journeys
Spain has announced a new measure to prohibit domestic flights when a train journey of under two and a half hours is available as an alternative. The ban will exempt flights connected to hub airports facilitating international routes.
Brazil to release millions of anti-dengue mosquitoes as death toll from outbreak mounts
Brazil is adding six new cities to double the size of this project that releases mosquitos carrying a dengue-fighting bacteria. Almost five million people will be protected after the expansion, with more to come.
Cash aid programme launched in Michigan for new moms
In Flint, Michigan, a city plagued by high child poverty rates, a groundbreaking initiative provides $7,500 in cash aid to new mothers over a year to alleviate financial stress and improve early childhood outcomes.
French Senate passes constitutional amendment ensuring right to abortion
The development marks a pivotal step towards fulfilling President Emmanuel Macron’s commitment to safeguard reproductive rights, a response to the recent restrictions on abortion rights witnessed in the United States.
Middle-aged cancer mortality plummets: study finds significant decrease in UK
New research conducted by Cancer Research UK suggests a sharp drop in cancer-related deaths among middle-aged individuals in the UK, marking the lowest mortality rates observed in the past 25 years.
People with Down syndrome are living longer than ever
As life expectancy for individuals with Down syndrome reaches new heights, healthcare systems are evolving to meet their unique needs through the creation of specialised programes and clinics for comprehensive lifelong care.
This app makes navigating urban transit easier for the visually impaired
The app NaviLens helps visually impaired individuals navigate city transit systems by providing real-time audio and haptic navigation cues at bus and train stations.
It is now often known as the ‘world’s happiest country’, but Finland used to have one of the highest suicide rates in the world. From alcohol to antidepressants, here are the changes that made the difference.
A new approach to therapy in France: museum visits
Le Hamo, a new initiative in France, is redefining mental health care beyond conventional art therapy – reflecting a broader nationwide effort in France to integrate art, culture, and in-person museum visits into personalised care plans.
Fostering connection: Japanese residential tower tackles loneliness
Amidst the challenges of an aging and frequently solitary society, residents of a multigenerational apartment complex in southwestern Japan are prioritising unity and companionship.
Liverpool sets sights on world’s largest tidal power project
Liverpool announces ambitious plans to construct the world’s most extensive tidal power initiative on the River Mersey, poised to supply renewable energy to over one million homes while bolstering local employment and flood defences
Finnish town’s emissions to plummet, thanks to world’s largest sand battery
The industrial-scale storage facility, located in Pornainen in southern Finland, has the capacity to store 100 MWh of thermal energy derived from solar and wind sources. This solution will help residents remove oil from their district heating network, resulting in a reduction of nearly 70% in emissions.
Seven times size of Manhattan: the tree-planting project making a change
Thousands of farmers across the African diaspora have been persuaded by the TREES scheme to replace barren monocultures with biodiverse forest gardens.
Refugees find community through free climbing club
The Refugees Rock climbing club provides refugees and asylum seekers with more than just physical activity, as it offers a space for building confidence and community connections.
Through their efforts in debunking stereotypes and reclaiming storytelling, Indigenous women are forging new paths and redefining their stories through cinema.
Influencers counter toxic masculinity in social media
Amidst the prevalence of toxic masculinity online, influencers like Joe Wicks and Russ Cook are pioneering a movement towards healthier male role models, focusing on mental health, fitness, and positive masculinity.
Left to rot: how a prisoner cleaned up Panama’s dirtiest jail – and its inmates
La Joyita prison was notorious for its squalor – but its EcoSólidos recycling scheme has helped rehabilitate inmates and eased gang fights. About 80% of the prison’s waste is now recycled, plastic and aluminium are sold, while food waste is turned into compost for the prison’s vegetable gardens.
