NEWSROOM
Woodland once hunted by 11th century king to be rewilded in Essex climate plan
Unproductive farmland in Essex once frequented by Harold Godwinson – last Anglo-Saxon king of England – is due to be restored to the wild state he would have known. Harold’s Park has been purchased by Nattergal – co-founded by the owner of the Knepp Estate rewilding project – and will gather its last crops this year. Following that, nature will take charge, with unkept hedges and ancient oaks becoming a home for newts and birds while wild ponies and pigs roam the woodlands. The site will continue to generate income through Biodiversity Net Gain payments, selling credits to major infrastructure projects. This is one of the first steps in Essex county council’s ambitious plan to transform 30% of the county into similar biospheres.
NHS meal replacement diet put a third of type 2 diabetes cases into remission
A “soup and shake diet” has been deemed successful in helping people in the UK with type 2 diabetes lose weight and put the disease permanently into remission. The scheme starts out with an 800-calorie per day diet for three months, where patients are offered meal replacement products like milkshakes, soups and snack bars. Over a year, patients can start reintroducing normal foods back into their diet. Of those patients that completed the year–long programme, the average weight loss was 15.9kg (35lbs) and 32% put their type 2 diabetes into permanent remission. In May, the NHS said it plans to double the capacity of the scheme, reaching 50,000 people in the next five years.
Morrisons is turning up the heat in its freezers in “transformation” of supply chain emissions
British supermarket chain Morrisons has turned up freezer temperatures by 3°C in ten of its stores as part of its plan to achieve net-zero by 2035. Morrisons plans to roll-out the scheme nationally and hopes its suppliers will do the same: studies show that if the move were replicated around the world, the emissions reductions would be equal to taking 3.6mn cars off the road. Representatives have been quick to allay fears about food safety, pointing out that current freezing practices were set a century ago, and do not take modern improvements in refrigeration technology into account. Ruth McDonald, corporate services director for the company told Sky News that the decisions has been made firmly based on “safety, science or convenience.”
US student gives away $1.3mn in school supplies to families in need
A university student has given away 6,000 backpacks filled with supplies for families across the American Midwest. Reed Marcum has organised these giveaways for nine years as part of his involvement with 4–H, an NGO which works to empower young leaders. Marcum’s work –which has raised over $3.5mn in funds and items – has seen him honoured with the Youth in Action award, which included a higher education scholarship. Alongside his work to support young learners, Marcum also arranges a toy drive during the Christmas holidays, which has drawn much media attention, including from the Washington Post.
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