Surfing therapy in Cape Town, turtle hatchling initiative, empowering women through sustainable travel

Photo: Kyle Cut Media / Unsplash (CC0)

In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re talking about surfing therapy for disadvantaged children in Cape Town, a turtle hatchling protection scheme with incredible results, and the empowerment of women in rural Zimbabwe through an electric bike initiative.

“Surfing therapy” for children in Cape Town townships improves their mental health and life chances

The initiative provides the children from deprived communities with stable adult role models, encourages discipline and sportsmanship, and diverts them away from gang life.

Source: BBC

An initiative in the Philippines to protect turtle nesting sites has released over 300 hatchlings into the sea

The current season is the most successful in recent years, with residents of the village of Candiis protecting the young turtles and aiding them with their intitial release.

Source: The Planetary Press

Women in rural Zimbabwe are receiving economic empowerment through a sustainable electric bike scheme

The startup Mobility for Africa gives women the opportunity to travel and allows them to join the workforce, rather than confining them to their homes.

Source: Global Citizen

A newly released study suggests that exposure to LGBTQ+ people in advertisements makes society more accepting

The research conducted by GLAAD and Procter & Gamble concludes that inclusion of non-heteronormative individuals in media results in greater support and acceptance of this demographic.

Source: Advocate

The first koala joey has been born since the closure of the historic Australian bushfires earlier this year

The suitably named Ash was born in New South Wales and is a small boost to the endangered population.

Source: Global Citizen

A cattle farmer in the Amazon is turning to traditional methods in order to promote sustainable ranching in the region

The rational grazing system promotes pasture recovery and eliminates the need for deforestation.

Source: Mongabay

A menstrual cup maker is funding projects which provide sustainable hygiene solutions to women worldwide

Saalt is providing stability and education to those with limited access to menstrual hygiene products, improving school attendance and destigmatising periods.

Source: Treehugger

Scientists and entrepreneurs are coming up with increasingly inventive low-carbon cooling technologies

The affordable and largely off-grid inventions are particularly useful for those in developing countries with limited access to reliable electricity sources.

Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation

An innovative housing development in Boston is being built in order to adapt to the effects of climate change

The project has been designed to function in harmony with the natural surroundings, rather than changing them to suit human needs.

Source: Metropolis

A design firm have envisioned a park based on a human fingerprint for a post-COVID society

Austria-based Studio Precht’s project ensures social distancing guidelines can be abided by due to the undulating landscape and mazelike construction.

Source: Architectural Digest

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