WWF’s ocean cleanup initiative, end of dog meat consumption, sustainable Nepalese hospital

Photo: Marina June/Unsplash

In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re talking about WFF’s new venture which aims to clear our seas of discarded fishing nets, the introduction of draft policy banning dog meat consumption in China, and a hospital in Nepal which works in balance with the natural environment.

WWF have launched a new initiative which will help clear the sea of discarded fishing nets

The app-based project lets individuals report sightings of so-called “ghost nets”, which constitute between 30-50% of all plastic pollution in our oceans.

Source: Reset

China signals an end to the human consumption of dog meat

A draft policy released by the agricultural ministry raises animal welfare and disease transmission concerns as reasons for the move.

Source: The Guardian

A fully-sustainable Nepalese hospital is now serving an estimated 100,000 visitors per year

The innovative design of the facility ensures that the local environment is protected, allowing both staff and patients to heal in harmony with nature.

Source: Metropolis

An innovative garden shed helps prevent flooding from stormwater and redirects it for irrigation purposes

The compact design ensures local vegetation will not be disturbed and protects plants from extreme weather.

Source: Inhabitat

A rare wildflower thought lost to the Australian bushfires have been saved due to a UK seed bank

The clover glycine was already listed as vulnerable to extinction prior to the devastating fires that recently swept Australia, but replanting efforts will commence soon.

Source: BBC Newsround

Authorities in Northern Ireland have approved a nationwide rollout of abortion services

Although the medical procedure was officially decriminalised last year, access to terminations was still not widely available as of April 1st.

Source: Reuters

A Dutch care home for those with dementia has built a glass-sided cabin for safe coronavirus visits

The building ensures residents at high risk of infection are still able to receive visitors whilst protecting themselves from coronavirus.

Source: Reuters

A South African non-profit ocean cleanup project is gaining traction across the country

Aaniyah Omardien’s The Beach Co-op is campaigning for a ban on single-use plastic, and has amassed approximately 10,000 volunteers to help reduce litter on South Africa’s beaches.

Source: Global Citizen

Women in the Solomon Islands are raising awareness of widespread deforestation and standing up to illegal loggers

Residents of the Southern Pacific islands are fighting to tighten loose regulations, protect land and ensure sustainability.

Source: Global Citizen

A recycling initiative’s open source machines are being used to create face shield and hands-free door handles from recycled plastic

The machines shred and remould used plastic, allowing it to be repurposed for the fight against coronavirus.

Source: Dezeen

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