The Know Daily - Wednesday 12 March 2025

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Start-up Sort A Brick is helping families breathe new life into LEGO sets, extending the use of toys that would’ve otherwise been thrown away. By using AI-enabled technology to scan customers’ collections and identify what models could be built from them, they send newly packaged, restored sets ready for play.

🌱 Eco roofs

Around the globe, more green roofs are popping up on the tops of buildings.

Tell me more.
Green roofs are covered with vegetation and plants, including grass, herbs and wildflowers. They’re not a new concept, in fact they’ve been around for thousands of years, but in recent times have had a resurgence in urban planning. The green roof industry in North America has grown by 45% in recent years, with cities like Chicago now boasting over 500 such roofs. In Europe, cities like Copenhagen in Denmark and Stuttgart in Germany require green roofs for many new construction projects. And in the UK, they’re getting more popular each year.

What’s so great about them?
Green roofs can help reduce stormwater runoff and the energy use of buildings by improving insulation, as well as provide urban habitats for plants and animals to boost biodiversity. What’s more, when combined with solar panels, green roofs can increase solar energy production by 107% and reduce local temperatures by 8°C, according to a recent study. Plus, they can be pretty to look at amidst an urban landscape.

What’s the other side?
Despite their benefits, there are a few drawbacks. They’re generally more expensive than traditional roofing and require extra, specialised maintenance. Often, buildings need to plan for green roofs from the get-go as the infrastructure for them is interwoven into the building itself, they can’t simply be placed on top. However, according to a civil engineer, the initial costs of the roof are made up when the additional benefits are considered over its lifetime. Plus, they’re especially useful in big cities, which are in need of more green spaces to boost overall public and wildlife health.

🔩 Tariffs latest: The Trump administration has officially increased tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to 25%, with the aim of boosting US manufacturing and jobs.

• The bigger story: It’s part of his wider plan to “transform global commerce”. US allies like the EU have been critical and responded with their own set of tariffs.

💊 At-home treatment: The NHS is set to offer patients in England with multiple sclerosis take-at-home tablets to reduce their need for hospital visits.

🏡 Home heating: The UK government has announced that up to 170,000 homes in England will get energy efficiency upgrades, which will provide families with warmer houses.

⚽ Football focus: Manchester United announced plans to replace Old Trafford with “the world’s greatest football stadium”.

📚 Carnival of ideas: The full programme for the Hay Festival of Literature & Arts has been unveiled.

🌴 Travel tax: Spain’s Balearic Islands have upped an eco-tax on tourists, with the funds set to be used for environmental projects.

🍕 Pizza purists: Move aside pineapple, there’s a new controversial fruit to put on pizza.

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Trivia answer: A) London has the most expensive public transport system following a price increase this month – see which other cities made the list here. 

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