This month’s Grateful News focuses on preservation of a unique nature refuge; clever help to keep refugees warm; Delhi’s amazing ban of plastics; a fabulous new composting system in Paris; and Finland’s new dramatic education reform…

Great Bear Lake green lights tepees

Guardians of a Vast Lake, and a Refuge for Humanity

Great Bear Lake has been declared an Unesco Biosphere Reserve. Called the Tsá Tué Biosphere Reserve, it is the largest in North America, and the first in the world to be led by an indigenous community. >> Full Story

sewing blankets

Charity Turns Old Blankets Into Coats for Refugees

A Greek-German charity called Naomi has collected blankets from a refugee and migrant encampment that’s now closed. Volunteers in a northern Greek city are using sewing machines to repurpose the items. >> Full Story

plastic ban landfill India

India Just Banned All Forms of Disposable Plastic in its Capital

According to the Times of India, India is responsible for an astonishing 60 per cent of the plastic that is dumped in the world’s oceans every year. Now, the National tribunal prohibits use of cutlery, bags and other plastic items amid concern over pollution of the sea and air. >> Full Story

paris urinal compost

Paris Turns to Flower-Growing Toilet to Fight Public Urination

Enter the boxy Uritrottoir — a combination of the French words for “urinal” and “pavement, ” lauded as a “friend of flowers” because it produces compost that can be used for fertilizer. Its top section also doubles as an attractive flower or plant holder.  >> Full Story

Subjects Scrapped and Replaced With ‘Topics’ as Finland Reforms its Education System

Considered at the top of international league tables for literacy and numeracy, Finland is about to embark on one of the most radical education reform programs ever undertaken by a nation state – scrapping traditional “teaching by subject” in favor of “teaching by topic”. >> Full Story