In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re talking about Tasmania’s huge success in their renewable energy drive, an innovative underground method sharing green power amongst Parisian communities, and the invention of bionic gloves allowing a concert pianist to play again.
Tasmania is powered by 100% renewable energy two years ahead of schedule
The island state in Australia recently announced that its wind and hydroelectric projects had made them entirely self-sufficient.
Source: One Green Planet
A clean and efficient energy movement is growing underneath Parisian suburbs
Geothermal heat is being distributed to homes and buildings in suburban Paris through an unusual network known as “district energy”, which involves shuttling the green energy through subterranean pipes.
Source: Reasons To Be Cheerful
Denmark is set to end all new gas and oil exploration
The move comes as part of a wider plan to stop the extraction of all fossil fuels by 2050.
Source: BBC News
The US House of Representatives has banned most big cat ownership
The bill limits who can transport, breed, and buy the animals and is seen as a win for animal rights activists.
Source: Treehugger
State-funded coalitions are helping expunge marijuana convictions
Illinois residents will soon be able to navigate the complicated process of criminal record expungement for weed-related offences with the help of local nonprofits.
Source: Route Fifty
A nonprofit tech tutoring program is making computer science understandable for kids
13-year-old Aarav Khatri’s scheme leverages computer science for social impact, and is creating tangible change in the lives of his fellow teenagers.
Source: The Christian Science Monitor
Boom in websites supporting local UK shops amid lockdowns
A stream of initiatives are helping independent businesses become more accessible online across Britain.
Source: The Guardian
Machine-learning is helping to identify war veterans at risk of suicide
When AI flags a veteran, their name appears on the computer dashboard of the local clinic’s Reach Vet coordinator, who calls to arrange an appointment.
Source: The New York Times
2020 has been a very good year for the UK’s beavers
Having recently been reintroduced into the wild, beaver numbers are increasing, bringing natural flood protection and healthier ecosystems with them.
Source: BBC News
Bionic gloves have allowed an injured concert pianist to play again
The $100 black neoprene gloves feature iron rods made with a 3D printer. After a finger is lowered onto a piano key, the gloves assist it to spring back.