North Texas city to become first in the U.S. to offer free healthcare
Ferris, Texas, about 20 miles south of Dallas, will use money from the American Rescue Plan Act to provide free physical and mental healthcare to all residents.
Cities
Austin becomes the first Texas city to experiment with ‘guaranteed income’
Under a yearlong, $1 million pilot program, the city will send monthly checks of $1,000 to 85 needy households at risk of losing their homes.
Egypt to build world’s first climate-positive, net-zero city
The new city, Nexgen, to be located east of Cairo, will produce more food and energy than it consumes.
Zurich begins to turn off natural gas networks
The current shutdown in Switzerland’s biggest city is due to be completed in 2024 with more areas of Zurich set to see the end of natural gas between now and 2040.
Los Angeles County mandates compostable and recyclable dining ware
This new ordinance will also ban the sale of expanded polystyrene foam, more commonly known as Styrofoam, in items like coolers, dining ware, and pool toys.
Quebec became the first jurisdiction in the world to explicitly ban oil and gas development in its territory
For two decades, citizens have mobilized against different oil and gas projects in Quebec, including shale gas in the St. Lawrence Valley and oil projects in Gaspésie.
Instead of a wall, a binational park to be built at the border of Texas and Mexico
The historic project at the border of Laredo, Texas and Nueva Loredo, Tamaulipas will span six miles and focus on the conservation of the Rio Grande River.
Toronto releases first-ever Reconciliation Action Plan to repair relationship with Indigenous Peoples
The plan’s 28 goals are spread through five themes, including restoring truth, sharing power, financial reparations, and actions for the Indigenous Affairs Office.
Ultra-low emissions zone extended to all of London
Starting in 2023, anyone driving a vehicle with high tailpipe emissions within London city limits will have to pay the £12.50 a day.
Tokyo schools drop controversial dress code on hair and underwear color
Other rules being cut include the practice of punishing students with a form of house arrest, and ambiguous language in the guidelines on what is considered “typical of high school students.”