Latest Stories from Jessica
Migrants cross English Channel in record numbers
On Monday, 430 people made the dangerous journey across the Channel in search of a better life, the highest number ever recorded in a single day. The arrivals have come in the wake of an ongoing debate amongst MPs on whether to strengthen current measures on national borders, with aims to render the crossing βunviableβ. Leading the pack in what has been called the βanti-refugee billβ by critics is none other...
Ben & Jerryβs to end sales in Occupied Palestine Territory
The decision comes after years of pressure from activists and listening to the concerns of βfans and trusted partners.β In a brief statement, Ben & Jerryβs has announced that continuing the sale of its ice cream in occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem would be βinconsistent with values.β Though precise details have not yet been revealed, discussions to terminate the contract with its Israel-based factory are complete. The...
Research finds 1 in 4 LGBTQ youth identify as nonbinary
In a study involving 35,000 Gen-Z members aged 13-24, about twenty six percent say they identify as nonbinary. The number of young people identifying as nonbinary has grown and the use of pronouns βthey/themβ is becoming more commonplace. In fact, a recent poll found 35 percent of Gen-Z say they know someone who uses gender-neutral pronouns. However, there remains widespread misunderstanding about the nonbinary community, their identifies, and the term itself. A recent...
Opinion – Britney is a pop idol turned womenβs rights icon
Some might say this headline is a stretch, but itβs undeniable that Britneyβs conservatorship case has shed light on two very important topics. You may have noticed #FreeBritney trending numerous times across social media in the last year. Even if social media isnβt your thing, youβve likely stumbled upon a news story or two about Britneyβs ongoing court appeal. There is reason behind the diligent media coverage on the worldβs favourite...
New manifesto prioritises social welfare in plan to achieve carbon cuts
Multiple government strategies for creating a low-carbon Britain have failed. A new manifesto hopes to break the pattern. One of the UKβs biggest carbon emissions comes from heating homes. It is responsible for 14 percent of all greenhouse gases released in the nation, a number that has barely changed over the last decade. In line with Boris Johnsonβs βbuild back greenerβ plan, a government budget of Β£1.5bn was offered to households...
Experts brand heatwaves as dangerous as wildfires
Heat exposure is a silent killer that claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year. As global temperatures rise, awareness is key. During recent heatwave seasons, wildfires have dominated the news. Videos of large flames engulfing landscapes around the world are a reminder of the danger that fast-spreading fires pose to nature, wildlife, homes, and communities. However, the prolonged heat exposure that causes these fires remains a silent threat to humans,...
Euros 2020 final confirms racism is very much alive in UK
Several players from England's national football team are being bombarded with racial abuse after a difficult loss at Wembley Stadium. On Sunday night, 31 million people watched from across the nation as the winner of the Euro 2020 final was decided in a penalty shootout. Within minutes of Englandβs loss, racist abuse began appearing on the social media pages of the Black English players who took the deciding penalties. Overnight in...
Argentina becomes the first country to ban salmon farming
Bad for the environment and bad for you. Could one countryβs ban on salmon farming set an example for others? The global appetite for salmon is insatiable. As high protein diets become the norm thanks to health conscious trends like the keto diet, and Western takes on Japanese sushi make raw fish more palatable for the masses, this vitamin-rich food has become a dinnertime staple for many. However, wild salmon populations are...
Scientists call for global ban on virgin plastics by 2040
Plastic production has increased rapidly over the last sixty years, finding a permanent home in our oceans.Β Biologists say the only way out is to halt its use completely. The convenience, cleanliness, and cost-effective production of plastic is what lead to a widespread demand for the material. Paradoxically, plastic has caused a massive inconvenience for us today (understatement of the year), by littering our environments and sparking costly research and design...
Mangroves – the coastal forests fighting climate change
Some of the worldβs biggest carbon sinks can be found scattered along tropical coastlines. Mangrove forests straddle the category of both land and sea plants, growing on the shores of the tropical and subtropical regions. They make up less than 1% of the planetβs forests, yet they support a thriving ecosystem and are essential for the protection of our planet in more ways than we appreciate. You may have heard the phrase,...
