Today in Squirrel News, the UK government requires home builders to include solar panels in their construction, a new AI app helps parents to support neurodivergent kids, and planting for sustainability in Alaska helps secure food supply on “the last frontier”.
Solar panels to be fitted on all new-build homes in England by 2027
Part of the net zero agenda of the UK’s Labour government, new home builders will be required to include solar panels in their construction. The government says the technology is vital for reducing home energy costs and boosting the country’s energy security.
More millionaires in Massachusetts since passage of “millionaires tax”
Passed in November 2022, the Fair Share Amendment created a surtax on earnings above one million, amid dire predictions that high earners would flee the state. A recent report shows that, in fact, the number of millionaires in Mass has increased 38%. The higher revenues have gone to public transit, childcare and financial aid for higher education.
US lawyers reaffirm their oath to uphold rule of law on National Law Day
At more than 50 events across the country, lawyers and others gathered to protest threats to attorneys, judges and the US judicial system. Lawyers, including 100s in New York City alone, reaffirmed their oath to uphold the rule of law in the United States.
Major science societies say they will finish national climate report after cuts
The US National Climate Assessment is mandated by law and due out in 2027. After 400 of the scientists working on it were recently fired, two national scientific societies came forward to fill the gap, commit to compiling the necessary research and ensure the continuation of critical climate science.
New AI app helps parents support neurodivergent kids
Spicy Minds, in Bristol, UK has developed an app called “Hazel” to help parents understand and best support kids who are waiting for diagnoses like autism and ADHD. In Bristol alone, 7000 children are on the NHS waiting list for autism diagnosis. Parents who waited 5 years for a result say support like the app provides would have really helped.
New snakebite antivenom developed using blood of man bitten 200 times
In creating the new antivenom, scientists combined a drug currently used to treat snake bites with the blood of a Wisconsin man who exposed himself to small amounts of venom over years as a personal project to develop immunity to deadly snake bites. Emphasising this is not a safe project for individuals to try at home, researchers say their goal is a treatment that acts against more varieties of venom.
Released Guam Kingfishers lay eggs after 40-year extinction in the wild
The Sihek, as they are known to indigenous people, went extinct on their native Guam after the 1988 introduction of the invasive brown tree snake. Biologists reintroduced nine birds, raised in captivity, to a remote pacific islet chain last year. On March 31 they were thrilled to observe the first wild eggs.
Food cottage industries in India, South Africa, and Ecuador empowering women
BBC’s Devina Gupta talks to women about their home-based micro-food home endeavours, the vital income they provide and the resulting freedom to make choices. With experts, she discusses the importance of keeping food value at the source and challenges of cottage food production.
Indigenous communities have used food foresting techniques for centuries, a practice Alaskan grower Josh Smith says marries ecology with agriculture. He is teaching food foresting, tree grafting and between-row perennial food planting to help Alaskans develop supplies that won’t be subject to shortages at the end of the food chain.
Books rescued by Turkish garbage collectors become public library
At first the collectors saved books for use by themselves, families, and friends. Their collection grew, filling the hallways of the old brick factory that houses the sanitation department. Designated a public library in 2018, the collection now tops 40,000 books and one of the garbage trucks has been converted to a mobile library, bringing books to schools and prisons.
