Today in Squirrel News, emissions in the UK fall thanks to the closure of all coal plants, elimination of infectious blindness caused by river water in Niger provides a template for success against neglected tropical diseases, and shoebox-sized cameras on ships prevent collisions with whales in real time.
Climate and energy analysts determined that global-warming emissions were down 3.6% in 2024 based on UK government data. They attribute the reduction primarily to the fall in coal use after the closure of coal power plants in the country, which is now the lowest it has been since the late 1600s.
Collaboration and community critical in Niger’s success against river blindness
After a 45-year campaign, Niger is the first African country to eliminate river blindness. BBC’s Africa Daily talks to a Gates Foundation doctor about how international collaboration and community involvement were key and how these lessons can help other countries to succeed more quickly in the fight against this and other neglected tropical diseases.
French National Assembly abolishes voting by standing up
French Lawmaker, Sébastien Peytavie, proposed the rule change and the assembly unanimously agreed. Though not often used, the method of standing for yes and sitting for no has sometimes excluded him, as a wheelchair user, from voting. Eliminating it sends the message “that everyone, regardless of their situation, has the right to a seat in this Assembly.”
Michigan city makes its tent city legal temporary encampment for homeless
A new study from the University of Colorado shows that forcing homeless people out of encampments does not improve public safety. So while many cities are outlawing encampments, Saginaw is making theirs safer with a community partnership of non-profit and public support while seeking more long-term solutions.
AI-powered camera alerts ships’ captains to whales in their path
The new heat-sensing cameras use machine learning to process the potential signs of a whale en route, comparing it to millions of similar encounters. If the presence of a whale is detected, the camera alerts a standby remote expert to double-check in time for a ship’s captain to change course.
Underwater camera helps Florida scientists identify coral predator fish
An innovative underwater video system captures in the act fish species that eat coral. This will allow reef restorers to focus on sites and coral species that minimise predation and give restoration a better chance at success.
Drug programmes in Mexico working to reduce risk without stigma
“Checa tu Sustancia” (Check Your Substance) is one of several civil initiatives in Mexico to minimise negative effects of drug use from a non-judgemental, public health and social justice perspective. Volunteer booths at public party events and festivals offer free services like anonymous drug testing, fentanyl test strips, and nasal spray to reverse overdose.
‘It brings you in and shelters you’: NHS creates ‘recovery gardens’ for staff and patients
Hospitals and other healthcare settings in the UK are working with the Royal Horticultural Society to create outdoor refuge spaces for patients, staff, and visitors. RHS wellbeing garden programme manager Victoria Shearing says they are “hopeful” places to rest and process emotions.
Replay playground reopens in London featuring repurposed waste materials
The creators of a combination art installation and children’s playground at London’s Southbank Centre reached out to theatres, factories, events companies and other businesses for items that would otherwise be shelved or binned. Now things like fashion backdrops, advertising props and bandaging tubes are living a new life with purpose.
Grandmothers in Zimbabwe bring mental health to communities with “The Friendship Bench”
A psychiatrist in Zimbabwe had a healing experience talking to a group of grandmothers following the suicide of a client. It inspired him to start “The Friendship Bench” programme that recruits and trains grandmothers to provide mental health support across Zimbabwe. The programme has been so successful, it is starting to spread to cities in the US.
