Italy to become first country to make studying climate change compulsory in schools

Italy is to become the first country in the world in which the study of climate change will be made compulsory in schools, the education minister announced on Tuesday.

A fire in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, September this year.

Under a new law, all state schools will dedicate around an hour a week to sustainability and climate change issues from the beginning of the next academic year, said Lorenzo Fioramonti. That would amount to around 33 hours a year.

“This is a new model of civic education centred on sustainable development and climate change,” the minister told The Telegraph.

“It’s a new subject that will be taught from grade one to grade 13, from the ages of six through to 19.”

Read the story from The Telegraph by Nick Squires - “Italy to become first country to make studying climate change compulsory in schools.”

Palau to become the first country to ban toxic sunscreen to protect its reefs

Palau is set to become the first country in the world to ban certain reef-toxic sunscreens, a move the tiny Pacific island nation hopes will help protect its coral reefs.

There is evidence certain chemicals in
sunscreens are toxic to marine life.

It comes after a similar initiative in Hawaii, which became the first US state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing two common chemicals in May.

Palau, east of the Philippines, has already banned chemical sunscreens from Jellyfish Lake, one the country's most famous tourist attractions.

Read the ABC News story - “Palau to become the first country to ban toxic sunscreen to protect its reefs.”

Norway Becomes World’s First Country to Ban Deforestation

Norway has become the first country to ban deforestation. The Norwegian Parliament pledged May 26 that the government's public procurement policy will be deforestation-free.

Norway has become the first country to ban deforestation.

Any product that contributes to deforestation will not be used in the Scandinavian country. The pledge was recommended by Norwegian Parliament's Standing Committee on Energy and Environment as part of the Action Plan on Nature Diversity. Rainforest Foundation Norway was the main lobbying power behind this recommendation and has worked for years to bring the pledge to existence.

“This is an important victory in the fight to protect the rainforest," Nils Hermann Ranum, head of policy and campaign at Rainforest Foundation Norway said in a statement. "Over the last few years, a number of companies have committed to cease the procurement of goods that can be linked to destruction of the rainforest. Until now, this has not been matched by similar commitments from governments. Thus, it is highly positive that the Norwegian state is now following suit and making the same demands when it comes to public procurements.

"Read the story by Katie Pohlman from EcoWatch - “Norway Becomes World’s First Country to Ban Deforestation.”

Ireland votes in favour of law to become world's first country to fully divest from fossil fuels

Ireland has voted to be the world’s first country to fully divest public money from fossil fuels.

Ethical financing shows global corporations that their
tactics are no longer tolerated, says Deputy Pringle.

The Irish Parliament passed the historic legislation in a 90 to 53 vote in favour of dropping coal, oil and gas investments from the €8bn (£6.8bn) Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, part of the Republic’s National Treasury Management Agency.

The bill, introduced by Deputy Thomas Pringle, is likely to pass into law in the next few months after it is reviewed by the financial committee.

Read Samuel Osborne’s story in the Independent - “Ireland votes in favour of law to become world's first country to fully divest from fossil fuels.”

Ireland passes law to become world's first country to fully divest from fossil fuels

Ethical financing shows global corporations
 that their tactics are no longer tolerated,
 says Deputy Pringle.

Ireland has voted to be the world’s first country to fully divest public money from fossil fuels.

The Irish Parliament passed the historic legislation in a 90 to 53 vote in favour of dropping coal, oil and gas investments from the €8bn (£6.8bn) Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, part of the Republic’s National Treasury Management Agency.

The bill, introduced by Deputy Thomas Pringle, is likely to pass into law in the next few months after it is reviewed by the financial committee.

Read Samuel Osbourne’s story in the Independent - “Ireland passes law to become world's first country to fully divest from fossil fuels.”