Hong Kong’s first blog for SDG education news and announcements
This piece in The Conversation by Kian Mintz-Woo raises an interesting point about where to put the carbon we sequester from the atmosphere as part of attempts to limit emissions and therefore global heating. While the answer for natural methods such as tree and seaweed planting might simply be “everywhere” it is a bit harder than might be expected when looking at more technological solutions. Many of the “best” places for storage are in places that have falling carbon emissions. Should they import sequestered carbon? Do we need to build storage into business models in places still increasing carbon emissions? Lots of interesting points demonstrating sustainability decisions are never easy. . . .
Why increased rainfall in the Arctic is bad news for the whole world (The Conversation) Can Mushrooms Eliminate Plastic? (IISD) Reports Explore Shifting Roles of Stakeholders, Auditors in SDG Follow-up (IISD) United Airlines flies passenger aircraft using 100 per cent biofuel engine (BusinessGreen) World set to add record 290GW of renewable power capacity in 2021 (BusinessGreen) . . .
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the UN on 10 Dec 1948 and this day has been recognized as Human Rights Day ever since. This Friday, the 2021 observance will be themed: EQUALITY - Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights. This of course relates to article one of the UDHR - “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” There is very much the idea that covid has thrown the 2030 Agenda off track a bit and now a huge effort is needed to build back better in an equitable way so that we can get the targets back in our sights. . . .
The Conversation includes a good article summarizing research done in Sweden on the flight-free holiday trend there. Since about 2016, the idea that we do not have to fly to go on holiday has been gaining traction in high income countries where a foreign holiday has become something of a norm in the last 50 years. Now some countries are banning flights, especially domestic where an alternative can get the journey done in less than 3 hours. As with all trends and decisions around sustainability, there are some interesting pros and cons, hidden dangers and qualifications. Good to get the debate going!! . . .
Climate change: how elephants help pump planet-warming carbon underground (The Conversation) Driving Home the Importance of Safe and Sustainable Mobility (IISD) CDP launches climate disclosure framework for SMEs (BusinessGreen) Soup residues make up 41% of food waste (WLFB) Sales of eco-friendly pet food soar as owners become aware of impact (The Guardian) . . .
There are a number of important International days this week. Today, 1st December is World AIDS Day, and every year, the world commemorates people around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS. On 2nd December is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. More than 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery and more than 150 million children are subject to child labour, accounting for almost one in ten children around the world. The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. 3rd December is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Disability inclusion is an essential condition to upholding human rights, sustainable development, and peace and security. It is also central to the . . .
We were delighted to graduate our first cohort from the Youth Ambassador Asia-Pacific Programme. UNITAR entrusted the implementation and running of their Ambassador programme to The ITS Education Asia Foundation and twelve schools from around Hong Kong nominated sustainability-minded students to join. They have had 9 grueling Saturdays of events, speakers, workshops and lessons plus put in a huge amount of time and effort in between to develop their ideas, do their research and create and practice their pitches. It all came to fruition on Saturday 27th November with a fantastic pitch event and graduation ceremony hosted by Cyberport. . . .
Nice top 5 takeaway review of COP26 (The Conversation) Interesting Serbian project to track emigration which threatens depopulation (Srpski) Apple starts to offer better repair options (BusinessGreen) The moral case for destroying fossil fuel infrastructure (The Guardian) Australia to export solar power to Asia (Eco-Business) . . .
