Day: 1 October 2023

Climate-induced water insecurity poses one of the biggest threats to humanity and will lead to more hunger, disease and displacement – Oxfam

Stuart Mitchell

Finding safe water supplies for drought-stricken communities is becoming increasingly difficult as a result of climate change, Oxfam warned as it published a report warning of the dire humanitarian cost of increased water scarcity. The report, Water Dilemmas, describes how a water security crisis, in large part driven by global heating from greenhouse gas emissions, will fuel hunger and disease and force more people to leave their homes. Nafkote Dabi, Oxfam Global Climate Justice Lead, said: “Water is the lifeblood of communities across the globe, but climate change means that…

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Bringing Braille Fun Home: LEGO® Braille Bricks on Sale for the First Time

Stuart Mitchell

Ahead of World Blind Awareness Month this October and in response to global demand, the LEGO Group announces LEGO® braille bricks are available to purchase for the first time through LEGO.com. The new product – LEGO® Braille Bricks – Play with Braille – is aimed at kids aged 6+ and has been designed so that anyone who is curious about braille, be they blind, partially-sighted or sighted, can have fun getting to know the braille system at home with their family members in a playful, inclusive way. Martine Abel-Williamson, President,…

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Helen and the other leading energy companies in Finland join forces to develop an industrial hydrogen valley

Stuart Mitchell

Helen Ltd, Neste Corporation, Gasgrid Finland Ltd, and Vantaa Energy Ltd have in collaboration started preliminary studies on the development of an industrial hydrogen valley in the Uusimaa region, Finland. This joint effort is a step forward in driving Finland towards a leading hydrogen economy in Europe that creates industrial investment opportunities and supports Finland’s and Europe’s carbon neutrality goals. The industrial hydrogen valley would combine infrastructure, storage, and transmission of renewable hydrogen, serving both producers and consumers of hydrogen. In addition, sector integration opportunities are a key element in…

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£1.5 million from Dormant Accounts supporting VCSE sector sustainability

Stuart Mitchell

Organisations from the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Northern Ireland are benefitting from £1,472,885 announced from the Dormant Accounts Fund NI. Delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund with the Department of Finance, the programme is supporting the sector to be more resilient and prepared for the long-term future. One of the 22 groups awarded is the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) who are using a £100,000 grant to become more financially sustainable. Nora Smith, Chief Executive of USPCA, said: “We are…

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Unprecedented extra half a million pounds rolled out to help UK film, TV, and cinema workers

Stuart Mitchell

The Film and TV Charity rolls out unprecedented extra £0.5million to help UK film, TV, and cinema workers in urgent financial need as industry faces critical economic conditions that could devastate the livelihood of professionals, with long term consequences for the industry as a whole Move follows a huge 800% surge in applications to the charity by industry workers in financial crisis and in need of urgent stop gap grants Unprecedented situation caused by multiple factors including US actors and writers strikes impacting productions globally; the cost-of-living crisis; and pressures…

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