We’re kicking off a new month at Squirrel News with some big stories: New Zealand has granted its second-highest mountain legal personhood, a women-only rideshare service has launched in Las Vegas, and a conservation project in Scotland has seen the number of local bumblebees jump from 35 in 2021 to over 4,000 in just three years.
New Zealand mountain granted same legal rights as a person
The second-highest mountain on New Zealand’s North Island, Taranaki Mounga, and its surrounding peaks have been granted legal personhood, becoming the country’s third natural feature to gain the same rights, duties and protections as individuals.
Bigger than El Salvador: the world’s largest renewable energy hub
The project in Western Australia would involve thousands of wind turbines and millions of solar panels over an area larger than El Salvador. It’s now looking for official permission to start construction.
Denver project “ends veteran homelessness” one year after launch
As of 19th December, the Colorado city has effectively eliminated street homelessness: a situation in which someone lives on the streets or in other places not intended for human habitation, with no safe or sheltered place to go at night.
Women-only rideshare services now available in Las Vegas
Alegna is very similar to existing services like Uber and Lyft, but has one key difference: it’s run by women, for women. The company hopes to provide a friendly, secure and affordable alternative for women in Las Vegas.
South Africa and Malaysia to launch campaign to protect international justice
South Africa and Malaysia will launch a campaign to protect and uphold the rulings of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in the face of what they describe as defiance of ICJ orders. The aim of the nine-nation Hague Group – which includes Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, Senegal and Namibia – is to defend the rulings of international legal order.
Congestion relief zone sees 55% drop in car crashes year on year
According to recent data, the newly implemented congestion relief zone below Manhattan’s 60th street saw the number of collisions halve, as well as a 51% drop in injuries when compared to the same 12-day period in 2024.
Bumblebee population increases 116 times over in Scotland
Thanks to Rewilding Denmarkfield – a 90-acre project located just off Perth – the local bumblebee population has increased to 4,056 in 2024 from 35 in 2021. Conservations also note that diversity has also improved, jumping from five to ten different species.
The sweatshirt helping autistic people express how they feel
For individuals with autism, finding the right words can sometimes be challenging, especially in situations where they feel stressed or overwhelmed. Specially designed clothes might be a solution to these communication issues.
Since the Taliban retook Kabul three and a half years ago, women’s freedom has been massively constrained, with the work of female writers almost entirely censored. Untold Narratives is a project to help women who have been marginalised by community or conflict to get their voices heard.
Preserving surf breaks and fighting climate change
A 2017 analysis of the California coastline found 34% of the state’s breaks could be lost to climate change by 2100. Since then, NGOs like Conservation International and the Save the Waves coalition have been working to protect breaks worldwide.