We’re closing the week talking about solar power’s dominance on the EU energy grid, the community patrols slashing crime rates in the Brazilian Amazon, and the Mauritanian “Green Clubs” giving local land the chance to rejuvenate itself with vegetable patches.
EU sees solar power dominate energy supply for the first time in June
Over June, solar power generated 22.1% of the EU’s electricity, up from 18.9% a year earlier and with coal’s contribution falling to an all-time low. This is largely thanks to record sunshine and an ever-growing number of solar installations across the bloc.
Community patrolling cuts crime rates in the Amazon by 80%, study shows
A recent study carried out in the Brazilian Amazon has found that patrolling efforts in two protected areas conducted by community-based volunteers were closely tied to a reduction in environmental crimes.
Brazil and Argentina team up for successful jaguar population recovery
Once facing local extinction, jaguar numbers along the Brazil-Argentina Iguaçu-Iguazú border have more than doubled since 2010 since cross-border conservation efforts.
London’s low-traffic zones cut deaths and injuries by more than a third
Based on comparisons of more than a decade of road casualty statistics between 113 London LTNs and other roads that did not have them, the report’s authors found that LTNs were associated with a 35% reduction in all injuries, rising to 37% for deaths and serious injuries.
New York City’s congestion pricing has cut pollution and traffic
The six-month anniversary of congestion pricing highlights a string of remarkable successes. Traffic congestion in Manhattan, site of the $9 charge zone, is substantially down, cars and buses are moving faster, air quality is improving as carbon emissions drop, a creaking public transportation system has new verve and there are fewer car accidents and injuries.
Smartphone bans in Dutch schools have improved learning, study finds
After initial concerns, pupils are said to be more focused and have better social interactions with each other. Secondary schools reported that children found it easier to concentrate (75%), the social environment was better (59%) and some said results had improved (28%).
