The Know Daily - Tuesday 23 September 2025

_{Read in 4m 23s ∙ Listening to Raye ∙}

London may be home to some amazing parks, yet too many residents still lack access to green spaces. Now, through the Nature Towns and Cities initiative, millions are being invested to reconnect communities with nature. From Ealing’s new regional park to Lewisham’s inclusive green transformations, urban greening is bringing fresher air and wildlife that little bit closer to home 💚

🏛️ What is devolution?

Devolution has been mentioned a lot recently – from debates in Westminster to fresh moves in Northern Ireland. In short, devolution is when powers are passed down from the UK government to local governments. Today we’re digging into why it matters and how it could change the way decisions are made on things like health, schools and transport.

What’s at the heart of it?
Devolution is about democracy and regional autonomy, decentralising power from the government. The idea is that local leaders understand their region’s needs better than distant ministers. Decisions on buses in Birmingham or housing in Hull, for example, can be made by those who actually live there. It also gives communities a sense of ownership, while letting different regions test out new ideas that others can learn from.

Why is it hitting the headlines now?
Westminster is debating the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill – a landmark plan to expand mayoral powers across England. It could give regional leaders control of housing, transport, planning and even bigger roles in public services. Ministers have floated the idea that mayors might one day run schools, hospitals and parts of the justice system, which would be a major shift in responsibility.

Devolution is also in the news because of Northern Ireland. Instead of being run directly from Westminster, it has its own Assembly at Stormont. After a two-year boycott, the Democratic Unionist Party has finally returned, meaning power is now shared again with Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party and the Ulster Unionists. It’s a reminder that while devolution can empower local areas, it also depends on political cooperation to function.

The upshot.
If you live in a devolved area (check if you do here), you might soon see more decisions made closer to home – from how your commute runs to how services are delivered. It also means different parts of the UK could feel increasingly different in how they’re run. Devolution won’t solve every regional challenge overnight – it depends on proper funding and strong leadership – but it’s a shift in how the UK governs itself.

🌍 Climate optimism: United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell says that economic benefits are pushing countries toward faster action regarding climate.

• The bigger story: Stiell points to real gains – China’s boom in green energy, clean-tech exports and rising investment in low-carbon industries – as proof that transitioning can pay off. He’s urging governments to meet near-term climate targets ahead of the COP30 conference in November, arguing that the incentives for health, jobs and resilient economies are clearer than ever.

🚴‍♀️ Full cycle: The chief executive of Lime has announced plans to expand access across all London boroughs.

🤖 Robo-companions: Health facilities in the US have started using robots as companions to comfort their patients.

🦤 Delivering dodos: A biotech firm has announced a “pivotal step” in their efforts to bring back the extinct dodo, but there are mixed reactions.

👩‍🌾 Gjoa greenhouse: A high-tech greenhouse in an Inuit hamlet in Canada’s Arctic is yielding locally-grown fresh produce for the first time. 

📱 Diverting doomscrolling: The Liberal Democrats are calling for children using social media apps to be shown cigarette-style health warnings to help protect their mental health.

🧛‍♀️ Treacherous TV: The full lineup and launch date for the first-ever celebrity version of The Traitors have been announced. Discover who’s going to be 100% faithful (...or not).

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Trivia answer: A) Gwyneth Paltrow has launched Gwyn, her second clothing label in ten years.

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