In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re talking about former inmates, gang members and other citizens of Minneapolis teaming up to non-violently prevent distress in their city, France moving towards replacing short-haul flights with train rides, and an unlikely underwater rice grown in sea plants that harnesses carbon.
Violence interrupters without badges roam Minneapolis to calm disputes
In order to tackle the city’s rising crime rates since the death of George Floyd, these city funded Minneapolites take to the streets to offer support to fellow citizens in distress.
Source:
The Christian Science Monitor
France moves to replace short domestic flights with train rides
Flights with a duration of less than two and a half hours are to be replaced with respective train rides in France. The final legislation awaits approval by the Senate on Saturday.
Source:
Ecowatch
World’s first climate change rules could apply in New Zealand
The country is pursuing its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 by moving to introduce a law forcing financial firms and their suppliers to disclose their impact on the environment.
Source:
BBC News
New Zealand raises minimum wage to 20$ per hour
The government simultaneously decided to increase the top tax rate for the country’s highest earners to 39%.
Source:
The Guardian
Nasa scientists find unlikely tool as rising temperatures bleach corals: a phone app
With the help of 100,000 users and the United Nations, the app, mapping reefs can become much easier which leads to a significantly faster analysis.
Source:
The Guardian
The rice of the sea: how a tiny grain could change the way humanity eats
Ángel León made his name serving innovative seafood. But then he discovered something in the seagrass that could transform our understanding of the sea itself – as a vast garden.
Source:
The Guardian
Bangladesh’s floating gardens could become a farming method for the future
The country frequently hit by floods uses ancient gardening techniques to grow crops on water – without using soil. The ancient practice could be replicated by other countries in the future.
Source:
Euronews
Volunteering vaccine altruists support community in attending appointments
The movement assists those with little knowledge of or access to technical devices necessary to make the respective appointments.
Source:
Reasons to be cheerful
Vermont becomes first state to prioritise minorities for access to vaccine
The US state set up mobile hospitals with vaccinations to address rural minorities who otherwise have little access to be vaccinated.
Source:
Fast Company
Green sewage superbug cleans Australian waste water
The bacteria grown by and used in this urban utilites company saves up to half a million Australian dollars per year and could be reproduced throughout the country.
Source:
Euronews
A bug’s life: how a volunteer army is putting Britain’s wildlife on the record
Amateur nature recorders are providing vital data on beetles, soldierflies and a host of lesser-known insects.