Coffee House Has Creative Way To Find Abandoned Cats A New Home
With all the crazy things happening in the world, we wanted to take a few minutes and focus on some of the awesome instead. In cities all over the world people and governments are taking the initiative to improve the lives of their neighbors. Whether it's something as simple as better food or as big as taking on renewable energy, there are great things happening all around us. Here are six initiatives (some that you've probably heard of before) that we think are pretty great. Is there something happening in your city that you want to share? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Movember
This now widely popular tradition was started in Melbourne in 2003 by the Movember Foundation. Movember challenges men to grow their moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness for men's health issues. This trend got on and by 2014, over four million participants from around the world helped raise some $580 million for the cause.
The Green Machine
The Green Machine is mobile food market in Memphis, Tennessee. They bring fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to neighbourhoods in Tennessee with limited access to such foods. This gives the people in the deserts of Tennessee the chance to shop for healthy food that they normally would not have any access to. Plus, shopping on a bus sounds fun!
Singapore's Super Tree Grove
This one is on my bucket list. As part of Singapore's Garden by the Bay project, they have constructed a steel forests that includes 18 "super trees". These trees (ranging from 25-50 meters high) are not just for looks. They are designed with large canopies that provide shade during the day and at night put on a show with light and sound. The trees also act as cooling conducts for nearby conservatories, collect water and 11 of them have solar photovoltaic systems to convert sunlight into energy.
Copenhagen's Cycle Super Highway
More and more people are starting to use bicycles as a form of transportation. Cities have been trying to integrate cycling into roadways for years, but it's not as easy as you may think; especially in large, congested cities. Copenhagen has figured out a way and taken it one step further with their cycle super highways specifically built to optimize bike commutes. The project aims for fast, safe routes for cyclists in the city.
Cat Cafes
We know that interacting with animals provides happiness and can reduce anxiety. That is, as long as you are not allergic to or afraid of animals. Over the years "cat cafes" have been popping up in New York, Los Angeles, Asia, Europe and Canada. The idea is simple: order a coffee, grab your laptop or book and snuggle up to one of the many resident cats. This one is not only great for cat lovers that can't own a pet of their own, it's also great for the cats that get to live in these cafes.
Ontario Clean Air Alliance
Technically a provincial initiative, but it required all the cities in Ontario working together to put an end to the use of coal. Toronto based organization Ontario Clean Air Alliance played a central role in helping Ontario phase out the use of coal. Thanks to them and the government of Ontario, the electricity of Canada's most populous province became coal free in 2014. Shutting down Ontario's five coal plants is the equivalent of pulling seven millions cars off the road (in terms of global warming greenhouse gas).
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