This Patagonian village has glacier-fed rivers and majestic scenery. The only problem? Sewage

El Chaltén, a Patagonian village renowned for its glacier-fed rivers and hiking trails, faces severe environmental challenges due to inadequate sewage treatment. The village’s population surges from around 2,900 to as many as 10,000 daily during the high tourist season, overwhelming the sanitation infrastructure. Untreated waste has been discharged into the Fitz Roy and Las Vueltas rivers, raising health and ecological concerns in this UNESCO World Heritage site. In response, local conservationist Marie Anière Martínez and national park official Lorena Martínez formed a group to investigate water contamination. Their efforts led to a landmark court ruling in 2023, compelling authorities to address sewage management failures and upgrade systems by January 2025. Despite this legal victory, pollution continues, prompting calls for stronger enforcement. El Chaltén lies within Los Glaciares National Park, which protects a vast freshwater reserve fed by glaciers. The ongoing sewage issues threaten the park’s delicate ecosystem and the health of residents and visitors alike.

Foreign staff have ‘changed our lives’: Scottish farmers fear for future after changes to skilled worker visas

Farmers in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, have relied heavily on foreign workers, particularly from the Philippines, to sustain their dairy operations amid a shortage of skilled local labor. Rory Christie of Dourie Farm struggled to find workers for years and nearly considered selling his herd before successfully recruiting Filipino staff on skilled worker visas in early 2023. This influx of foreign labor has been described as "life-changing," allowing the farm to maintain its large herd of 1,200 cows and continue producing significant quantities of milk for local cheese production. Other farmers in the region have followed suit, employing several dozen foreign workers, including Hungarians, to address similar staffing challenges. However, recent government changes removing farmers and agricultural contractors from the skilled worker visa list threaten this vital labor supply. The farmers fear these visa restrictions could jeopardize their businesses and the local dairy industry, which depends on foreign workers to fill roles that remain unfilled by domestic labor.