Latest news with #People'sTrust
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Dormice reintroduced at Bradgate Park to boost population
More than 20 hazel dormice have been reintroduced to Leicestershire as part of a project to boost the species' declining help them adapt, the animals will be housed in open cages in a secret location within Bradgate Park, near Newton Linford, before being released into the dormouse population has dropped by 70% nationally since 2000, and the species is now extinct in 20 English counties, according to a 2023 White, dormouse and training officer at the People's Trust for Endangered Species, said the reintroduction could provide "vital stepping stones to start a new population of dormice". "We're hopeful that by autumn, the dormice will have settled into the woodland," he added. "If we start to see litters later this year, it will mark the beginning of their return. "It's a big day for the county, as dormice haven't been seen here for a very long time." Volunteers will monitor the dormice daily over a 10-day period, topping up food and water while the animals adjust to their new this time, the dormice will remain in mesh enclosures before being released to forage for they settle in, they are expected to begin breeding and dispersing into surrounding woodland and hedgerows. Volunteer Hazel Edwards, who helped prepare the site, said: "A couple of weeks ago we started setting up large open cages in the woods so the dormice would acclimatise."From today, we'll feed and care for them daily. The cages are filled with fresh hazel twigs, water, and food. "After about 10 days, we'll open the cages, and they'll move into nesting boxes we've placed nearby. Hopefully, those will become their forever homes."Mr White added the reintroduction formed "part of a long-term effort" to bring the species back to said: "It took 100 years for numbers to fall - restoring them will take just as long."
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeowners devastated after learning brutal reason their insurance claims were denied: 'Like a punch in the gut'
In Florida, the skies aren't the only things getting stormy. Homeowners are facing hurricane season with limited insurance protections. As the state prepares for another hurricane season, which begins June 1, homeowners are facing a growing crisis from the companies meant to help them recover. As the Tallahassee Democrat reported, a report by Weiss Ratings revealed that 14 Florida insurers denied payment on over half of all claims filed in 2024. People's Trust, for example, closed 75.4% of claims — nearly double its 2023 rate — without paying a dime. State Farm Florida, the state's third-largest provider, denied nearly 60% of claims. "After paying far higher premiums and suffering widespread storm damage, this is like a punch in the gut for Florida homeowners," Weiss stated. Florida's insurance crisis is the latest symptom of a much larger problem: the rising cost of climate inaction. Human activities — mainly the burning of dirty energy sources such as coal, oil, and gas — are releasing heat-trapping pollution into the atmosphere. This pollution is warming oceans and fueling stronger, slower-moving, and more destructive storms. That means more flooding, more wind damage, and more claims with increasingly fewer payouts. Insurers are responding not by adapting to climate risks but by pulling back: denying claims, raising rates, and exiting high-risk areas. As a result, vulnerable communities, especially in storm-prone regions such as Florida, are left exposed. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and state lawmakers are stepping up enforcement. Heritage Insurance was recently hit with a $1 million fine. And Universal Property & Casualty Insurance was ordered to return over $30 million after submitting fraudulent claims to the state's hurricane fund. Do you think your house could withstand a hurricane? No way Maybe a weak one I'm not sure It definitely could Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. New insurers have entered the market thanks to reforms to make the state more attractive for business. On a broader level, organizations such as Rewiring America are helping households transition away from dirty energy, a crucial step in cutting the pollution driving extreme storms. Federal efforts, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, are funding clean energy, energy efficiency, and disaster resilience programs across the country. However, the incentives provided to modernize your home may be removed under President Donald Trump with an act of Congress. No one can stop a hurricane. But by pushing for accountability from insurers, cutting the pollution that's making storms worse, and exploring climate issues, we can weather what's coming. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
