The Know Daily - Monday 27 July 2026

_{Read in 4m 13s ∙ Listening to Erin Kinsey ∙}

Move over Spice Girls, there’s some new icons on the block! The Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage have removed around 6,000 pounds of rubbish from ponds on Cape Cod since starting up in 2018 (and the baby of the group is 65 years old). We love to see it, ladies 💅 

🚸 School Streets

School Streets are becoming a more familiar sight across the UK. But what are they, do they actually make a difference and how can communities get one outside their local school?

What are School Streets?
School Streets are roads outside schools where traffic is restricted at drop-off and pick-up times. The idea is pretty simple: fewer cars immediately outside the school means a calmer, safer environment for children arriving and leaving. They can also make it easier for more children to walk, cycle or wheel to school. The schemes are no longer limited to a handful of places either. London alone now has hundreds of School Streets, while more than 1,000 are operating across the UK.

Do they actually make a difference?
The evidence suggests they can. Previous data from the World Health Organization has found that around 93% of children under 15 worldwide breathe air polluted at levels that put their health and development at risk. In London, research by City Hall found that School Streets reduced nitrogen dioxide levels by up to 23% during morning drop-off. They are also generally popular with parents and carers, although the exact design and impact of each scheme can vary from place to place. 

Are there any downsides?
Critics argue they may simply shift traffic and pollution onto neighbouring roads rather than reducing it overall. Others say they can make access more difficult for some residents, businesses and parents who rely on driving because of long commutes or accessibility needs.

Why are people talking about them now?
School Streets have become part of a wider conversation about what we want our neighbourhoods to look and feel like. As reported by the UK government in June, a new strategy aims to deliver thousands of new walking, wheeling and cycling routes and safer crossings over the next five years, with schools among the places the government wants to connect more easily. That conversation was also a part of London Climate Action Week in June.

Is there anything I can do?
If your school already has a School Street, you can find out how it works and share your views with the school or council. If it doesn't, parents, teachers and local residents can start a conversation with the school community and local authority about whether one could work. The Clean Cities Campaign also has resources for communities interested in getting involved.

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💰 Money Monday: UK consumer confidence has jumped to its highest level since January, with the so-called “Burnham bounce”, England’s World Cup run and sunny weather all helping to lift the mood.

• The bigger story: Market researcher GfK’s overall consumer confidence index rose six points in July, with people feeling more positive about the economy’s prospects over the next year and its performance over the past year. However, confidence in personal finances rose by just two points and the index remains well below the levels seen a decade ago. GfK says the boost will need to be backed by progress on the cost of living and the economy if the optimism is to last.

🎶 Eight basic types of sound appear to form the building blocks of the world’s variety of birdsong, according to a new study of more than 100,000 songs from 3,000 bird species.

🚴 The Tour de France saw Tadej Pogacar take the yellow jersey across the finish line, marking a historic fifth title.

🌊 The Isle of Man’s tourism industry has achieved a record value of £433m, a new report by the island’s tourism board has revealed.

✈️ The safest solo travel destinations have been revealed, with the least risky spot scoring just 0.78 out of 10 on the index.

🌳 Ten of the UK's "toughest" trees have been shortlisted for this year's Tree of the Year award.

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Trivia answer: A) Great Britain’s Josh Kerr achieved his ambition of breaking the long-standing world mile record (3:42.66 🤯).

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