Today on Squirrel News, the UK boosts its green energy auction budget to £1.5bn, G20 leaders agree on a super-rich wealth tax, and we explore ways to stay cool without harming the planet.
UK government sets record green energy auction budget at £1.5bn
In response to industry calls for increased support, the UK government has raised the renewable energy auction budget to £1.5 billion, primarily targeting offshore wind development. This increase will improve the UK’s renewable energy capacity and energy independence.
For first time, G20 finance leaders agree on wealth tax on super-rich
Finance leaders from G20 countries have agreed on a wealth tax targeting the super-rich. While disagreements remain over the plan’s viability, the project offers a potential solution that could raise €230 billion annually to address climate change and poverty.
As demand for air conditioning rises, Irish engineers are developing a technology to eliminate climate-harming HFC gases, while architect Francis Kéré uses traditional materials to avoid AC altogether in Burkina Faso.
Wind, solar energy surpass fossil fuels to supply 30% of EU electricity
For the first time, wind and solar power have generated 30% of the EU’s electricity, surpassing coal and gas and cutting emissions by a third since 2022.
Australia launches world-first peanut allergy treatment programme for babies
Australia is pioneering a national programme to treat babies with peanut allergies by administering controlled doses of peanut powder to build immunity.
Engineers develop hydrogen fuel from soda cans, seawater, and caffeine
MIT engineers have created a sustainable method to produce hydrogen fuel using recycled aluminum, seawater, and caffeine. This process could power marine vessels and potentially other vehicles without generating carbon emissions.
Kootenai Tribe of Idaho restores historic site with federal support
The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho has received a $2 million federal grant to restore Ambush Rock, a site used as a landfill for over a century. The cleanup and revegetation project aims to return the land to its natural state.
In the US, community fridges provide fresh food to those in need
In response to rising food insecurity, volunteers across the US are running community fridges stocked with donated food from local farms and food trucks.
Indigenous community builds ‘living fences’ to protect Himalayan cattle
The mithun, an endangered sacred cattle species in the Himalayas, faces threats from deforestation and climate change. The indigenous Adi community in Arunachal Pradesh, India, is using ‘living fences’ to protect these cattle and their habitat.
A Finnish wind farm is using AI to predict bird flight paths and stop turbines to prevent harm, while fishermen in Cyprus employ green lights to keep turtles away from their nets.