This week’s roundup of good news offers many reasons for optimism, including the UK’s decision to leave a controversial energy charter treaty, a study proving that reforestation efforts in the eastern US have helped keep temperatures cool, and the decision by English hospitals to adopt “Martha’s rule.” Additionally, a new report shows that most of the firms involved in the world’s largest four-day week trial are now operating a shorter working week one year later.
Many countries are baffled by the existence of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), which allows fossil fuel firms to sue governments for lost profits due to climate policies. The UK has now joined France, Germany, Poland, and others in withdrawing from the treaty, citing a failure to align with net-zero. “By leaving the Energy Charter Treaty we have taken away one of fossil fuel companies’ most used weapons to deter or punish climate action,” said Cleodie Rickard of Global Justice Now.
According to a new study, reforestation efforts have helped to keep temperatures down in the eastern US. The so-called “warming hole” has puzzled scientists for years, but the reforestation of areas that had been cleared by early European settlers has had a cooling effect. The researchers at Indiana University who carried out the study emphasised that reforestation is not the sole factor, with air pollution also playing a part.
A new emergency second opinion scheme called “Martha’s rule” has been introduced at English hospitals for seriously ill patients. Martha Mills, who died of sepsis because her symptoms were missed, inspired the scheme. The system will be rolled out nationally over time, offering patients who suffer a worsening of their condition an emergency second opinion.
The four-day week received a boost, with 54 of the 61 firms involved in the world’s largest trial still operating a shorter working week one year later. Of these, 31 have made the change permanent. The study also found that 82% of surveyed companies reported positive impacts on staff wellbeing, with 50% noting a reduction in staff turnover. Critics of the four-day week questioned whether its positive impacts can be sustained over time, but the UK trial indicates that they can be
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