The Labour Party intends to prioritize improving school attendance if it wins the next election, with Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announcing measures including the use of artificial intelligence to identify patterns in student absences. The announcement comes as the government plans to expand its attendance-hub scheme to aid an additional thousand schools in England. Labour's proposal has the support of Sir Kevan Collins, former education catch-up tsar.

University students in England are facing a financial crisis as accommodation costs consume nearly all of the average maintenance loan, leaving little for other essentials. Unipol, a student housing charity, and the Higher Education Policy Institute reported a 14.6% increase in student rent over the past two years, while maintenance loans only rose by 5.2%. The Department for Education urges students to seek help from their universities. Unipol and Hepi call for reforming the student finance system, suggesting maintenance loans be rebranded as 'contributions to living costs' and highlighting the need for parental contributions. The National Union of Students advocates for loans to align with inflation, noting the impact on students from poorer backgrounds. Personal accounts from students Julia Żelazo and Kayleigh Atkins illustrate the struggle to afford basic living expenses and academic resources.

On World Mental Health Day, the article addresses the issue of eco anxiety, particularly among younger people concerned about climate change and its effects on health and biodiversity. It suggests that individuals can make a difference through actions such as discussing climate change, joining movements, greening finances, and supporting environmental organizations like 350.org, Greenpeace, and the Indigenous Environmental Network. The article also recommends reducing flights, using apps to monitor emissions, volunteering with grassroots groups, and connecting with like-minded individuals through networks like We Don't Have Time and Extinction Rebellion. It highlights the impact of individual actions, such as the reduction of plastic straws, and the importance of plant-based diets in reducing carbon emissions.

The article highlights a series of positive environmental developments from 2022, including potential referendums on nature rights, significant renewable energy initiatives, advancements in sustainable technology, and successful conservation efforts. It emphasizes the importance of hope and action in combating eco-anxiety and climate doom, showcasing various global and local projects that contribute to environmental protection and sustainability.

The article compiles positive environmental stories from 2022, highlighting various initiatives and developments across the globe. It includes Ireland's potential referendum on nature's rights, Belgium's use of human hair to clean waterways, the EU's approval of a German renewable energy scheme, and the EU's potential ban on single-use plastics. Other stories feature the growth of EU solar power, a historic UN biodiversity deal, Oxford University's research on renewable energy transition savings, a start-up's seaweed-based plastic alternative, and the UK's first carbon capture plant. The article emphasizes the importance of hope and action in combating eco-anxiety and climate doom.

The article highlights various positive environmental stories from 2022, including potential referendums on nature rights in Ireland, the use of human hair to clean waterways in Belgium, a significant German renewable energy scheme, and the EU's fight against single-use plastics. It also covers the growth of renewable energy, particularly solar power in Europe, and significant international agreements made for biodiversity and climate action. Innovations such as a seaweed-based plastic alternative and a sea salt battery are discussed, along with the role of environmental educators and organizations in combating eco-anxiety and promoting sustainability.

Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos program designates towns with unique charm and cultural significance as 'magical towns' to promote tourism and preserve heritage. With 132 towns across all 31 states, the program has criteria for selection and maintenance of status. While the program has helped redistribute tourists and preserve historical sites, research indicates mixed economic benefits for local residents and risks of inauthenticity. The author's visit to Izamal, one of the Pueblos Mágicos, revealed a town with a strong sense of history and tradition, countering fears of artificiality. Experts suggest that with proper oversight, the program could offer more substantial benefits to residents.

The UN's IPCC report emphasizes the urgency of halving emissions by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C, in line with the Paris Agreement goals. Current pathways predict a rise to over 3°C by 2030, but the report suggests that immediate and substantial action can still secure a liveable future. The cost of renewable energy has decreased significantly, and there is a focus on legislation to combat deforestation and improve energy efficiency. Despite COP26 commitments, emissions are projected to rise, prompting criticism from UN Secretary-General António Guterres and others. The report offers solutions across industries, including carbon capture and storage, and highlights the potential for innovation in construction and the need for financial investment. It also notes that mitigating global warming can lead to a fairer, more sustainable world with improved public health.

Russia has banned flights from airlines in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Slovenia from entering its airspace in retaliation for similar sanctions imposed by these countries due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This follows earlier bans on flights from Bulgaria, Poland, and the Czech Republic, as well as a ban on UK flights. Russian airlines will continue to fly to Kaliningrad, bypassing Lithuania by flying over international waters. Germany is also considering closing its airspace to Russian planes, and Austrian Airlines has cancelled flights to Russia and will avoid Russian airspace for at least seven days.

China's first 'Vertical Forest City' in Huanggang, designed by Italian architect Stefano Boeri, has been completed, housing 500 people and over 5,000 trees and shrubs. The project spans 4.54 hectares with residential and commercial towers, and is expected to absorb 20 tonnes of CO2 annually while emitting 10 tonnes of oxygen. Boeri's design integrates natural and built environments, using native, non-invasive species. Another project, the Liuzhou Forest City, is underway in Guangxi to house 30,000 people and combat air pollution with extensive plant life.

A Danish start-up, Sprout, has created the world's only plantable pencils, which can grow into trees, including Christmas trees. Made from sustainably harvested wood and non-toxic graphite, these pencils contain a seed capsule at the end. Once the pencil is too short to use, it can be planted. Sprout has sold over 30 million pencils in more than 80 countries since its inception in 2013, contributing to the fight against climate change by reducing the number of trees cut down for pencil production.

Kaluki Paul Mutuku, the African Regional Director at Youth4Nature, is at COP26 in Glasgow to demand youth inclusion in climate negotiations, emphasizing the importance of nature in combating climate change and biodiversity loss. He reacts positively to the deforestation pledge but questions the practical implementation of such commitments. Mutuku stresses the significance of youth voices in the climate movement and outlines his vision for a successful COP26, which includes translating commitments into action, prioritizing marginalized communities, and increasing climate financing from the Global North.

The article discusses the increasing trend of companies using 'sustainable' marketing to boost their image and profits, a practice known as greenwashing. It highlights how businesses, including mega corporations and politicians, use green credentials to cover up poor environmental records or as a marketing strategy without real accountability. The article mentions the origins of greenwashing and provides examples such as H&M's 'Conscious' collection and Package Free's questionable claims. It also points out the financial incentive companies have to appear socially conscious, especially to attract Gen Z consumers. The article acknowledges the challenges consumers face in verifying green claims but suggests online tools and search engines that can help. It concludes by mentioning brands like Bramley and Roar Gill, which are genuinely committed to sustainability, emphasizing the importance of consumer pressure in promoting transparency and authentic green practices.

Boohoo, a UK-based fast fashion retailer, is under investigation following a report by The Sunday Times that revealed workers in Leicester factories were paid below minimum wage and worked in unsafe conditions. The company's market value has dropped significantly since the exposé, leading to severed ties with online retailers such as Next, Asos, and Zalando. Boohoo has initiated an independent review of its supply chain and committed £10 million to address malpractice. The article also discusses the broader environmental impact of the fast fashion industry and highlights Project Cece, a sustainable clothing platform, as an emerging ethical alternative to fast fashion.

The article by Marthe de Ferrer discusses how new relationships are adapting to the challenges posed by social distancing and quarantine measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditional dating activities are being replaced with virtual interactions and conversations heavily centered around the virus. Couples are finding creative ways to maintain their connection, such as using Netflix Party or Houseparty to share experiences. The article shares anecdotes from individuals in new relationships, detailing how they are coping with the lack of physical presence and the increased emphasis on communication. Despite the difficulties, there is a sense of resilience and a belief that if a relationship can survive these trying times, it has a promising future.

The journalist's portfolio is diverse, encompassing a range of topics including the environment, education, sports, and theatre. The portfolio includes trending news, in-depth features, and opinion pieces. However, the journalist notes that the portfolio section is not regularly updated and directs readers to their MuckRack profile for more recent work. The article also suggests that the journalist is involved in various types of journalism, including current affairs, arts and books, sports coverage, and theatre reviews.

The article discusses the implications of a £100m donation by billionaire financier David Harding to the University of Cambridge, questioning the necessity and impact of such a large gift to an already wealthy institution. The author, a Cambridge graduate, acknowledges the financial support Cambridge offers to its students but points out that the donation exacerbates the financial divide between Oxbridge and other UK universities. The article contrasts Harding's donation with American philanthropic culture and cites Malcolm Gladwell's criticism of giving to wealthy institutions. It highlights the financial struggles of other institutions like Birkbeck College, which could have used such a donation to significantly enhance educational opportunities for disadvantaged students. The author argues for a more socially responsible approach to philanthropy that considers the needs of the wider higher education sector rather than deepening existing divisions.

Jaime Sloan, an Air Force servicewoman and mother of two, made headlines by using a breast pump while competing in an Ironman triathlon in Tempe, Arizona. Sloan, who had given birth seven months prior, decided to pump during the 70.3-mile race to avoid stopping and potentially missing out on a personal best time. Despite concerns about nudity and the logistical challenge of pumping mid-race, Sloan received positive reactions from spectators and fellow competitors. She managed to beat her previous best time by nearly 30 minutes. Sloan emphasized the importance of staying active postpartum and setting an example for her children. She also discussed the challenges of balancing training with her military career and motherhood, crediting her husband and the support from their military units for making it possible.