We’re starting the week on the right foot by covering 2023’s 50% increase in electric car adoption, the 80% reduction in plastic bags found on UK beaches since the charge was introduced, and a nonprofit’s successful fundraising effort to purchase affordable housing ahead of private equity firms.
2023 sees 50% global surge in electric car adoption
Research from the German institute ZSW indicates that, by the end of 2023, there were around 42 million electric vehicles worldwide. This includes fully electric cars, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles with range extenders.
Nonprofit raises millions to buy affordable housing before private equity
Community Solutions has successfully raised $135 million from institutional investors to provide housing for workers and individuals transitioning out of homelessness, aiming to outpace private equity acquisitions.
Some states to offer alternative licensing route for law school graduates
Law school graduates in certain states may now gain their legal license through practical work experience rather than the traditional bar exam, which is time-consuming and often very expensive. Proponents argue that this hands-on approach could help attract more lawyers to underserved regions.
Thai farmers use app to cut smog from agricultural burning
The FireD app is helping Thai farmers reduce pollution caused by the annual crop burning, while also easing the blame on them for environmental damage.
Could robot weedkillers replace the need for pesticides?
Farmers might soon depend less on chemicals thanks to robotic weedkillers. According to workers, these battery-powered machines, measuring 4 feet (1.2 metres) long and 2 feet (0.6 metres) wide, navigate fields with impressive precision – all on their own, without human assistance.
A Dutch social enterprise is mobilising youth to restore ocean health
With ocean health deteriorating, marine industries facing staff shortages, and young people in coastal regions struggling to find work, Sea Ranger Service has come up with a constructive solution. This social enterprise is training and employing young people with the aim of restoring one million hectares of ocean biodiversity by 2040.
Global human rights standards see big improvements over the past century
According to data from Varieties of Democracy, human rights protections have grown significantly across all global regions over the last 100 years. An updated index, which measures human rights on a scale from 0 (fewest rights) to 1 (most rights), shows that every region scored notably higher in 2023 compared to a century ago.
