Pressure returns to the Calais Jungle: evictions every 48 hours and uncertainty

The article discusses the ongoing evictions and harsh living conditions faced by migrants in the Calais Jungle, a former large informal settlement in France. Despite the dismantling of the Jungle in 2016, around 900 migrants continue to live there under dire conditions, hoping to reach the United Kingdom. The French government's policy of frequent evictions, justified as providing shelter, is criticized by organizations like Utopía 56 and the Observatorio de Derechos Humanos. Migrants face daily challenges, including police raids, lack of medical care, and poor living conditions, leading to a cycle of displacement and return to the Jungle. The article highlights the migrants' frustration with the French asylum system and their desire for a better life in the UK.

The do’s and don’ts of green claims – takeaways from ECOS Annual Conference 2023

The ECOS Annual Conference 2023 addressed the communication of environmental information, emphasizing the need for reliability and transparency to combat greenwashing. The conference highlighted the importance of eliminating misleading green claims to support the green transition and spotlight companies with best environmental practices. Discussions included the challenges of biodiversity credit markets, the pitfalls of carbon offsetting, and the necessity for harmonized terminology and clear guidelines. Recommendations for credible environmental communication to consumers were also provided, stressing the need for complete information, unequivocal terms, and adherence to past commitments. The conference concluded that green claims must be clear, reliable, verifiable, and based on a publicly available set of requirements, with third-party verification and explicit legislation.

Tyre wear – an underestimated source of air pollution that needs to be tackled

Tyre wear is a significant but often overlooked source of air pollution, contributing around 6.1 million metric tons of tyre dust annually. The EU's Zero Pollution Action Plan aims for a 30% reduction in microplastics by 2030, but ECOS stresses the need for accompanying policies. The European Commission's proposal to reduce vehicle emissions includes limits on tyre particles, but ECOS insists on an international standard for measuring tyre abrasion. Stricter chemical requirements for tyre manufacturers are also necessary to prevent the use of harmful substances. Despite potential regulations, the rise in road transport and larger vehicles may still increase microplastic emissions.

The Eviction Dance in Calais

In Grande Synthe, France, migrants from the 'Jungle of Calais' face routine evictions every 48 hours, with police clearing settlements and disposing of personal belongings. The Human Rights Observatory documents these conditions, highlighting the psychological violence migrants endure, including misleading information about asylum processes and the timing of a friend's funeral. Migrants, tired of hiding, leave their tents out in the open, while the French government's breakfast distribution coincides with evictions, causing confusion. Despite the temporary respite in reception centers, migrants return to the settlements, knowing another eviction is imminent.

Sabela González's Portfolio on Strikingly

The article discusses two major topics. The first part covers the research conducted between 2018 and 2019 on the vulnerability of Moroccan children living on the streets of Melilla, as reported by the Spanish Commission for Refugees (CEAR). The second part is a comprehensive journalistic report from 2015 to 2016 about the Turkish-Kurdish conflict, particularly after the breakdown of a ceasefire. The report likely delves into the social and cultural implications of the conflict, as well as the humanitarian aspects, and may include investigative elements from the author's personal experiences or research.